Nani’s HIT 3 role sparks debate, actor says, "Police brutality is not justifiable"

Nani in HIT 3

Natural Star Nani is gearing up for the much-anticipated release of HIT 3, the latest installment in the popular HIT franchise. Known for his versatile roles, Nani takes on the character of Arjun Sarkaar, a ruthless and intense cop whose methods often cross the line.

While promoting the film, Nani spoke about the depiction of police brutality in cinema and stressed that such actions can never be justified, either on or off-screen.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Nani stated, “Police brutality is not justifiable, no matter what. We might make our film showing our protagonist in that manner, but it is not justifiable.”

He emphasised that while cinema often showcases intense and violent characters, it doesn’t endorse or normalise such behaviour in reality.

He drew comparisons with his earlier film Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, in which SJ Suryah portrayed a cold-blooded cop depicted clearly as a villain.

In contrast, Arjun Sarkaar’s brutality in HIT 3 is not without context—it is motivated by a larger purpose. According to Nani, this depth adds complexity to the character, distancing him from traditional antagonists.

“He looks for purpose,” Nani explained. “So when he goes in a certain direction and wants to crack it, he will genuinely believe the rest to be collateral damage.” Nani admitted that while they are not justifying Arjun’s behavior, the character believes in what he is doing and is driven by a sense of mission.

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He further clarified that the intent is not to glorify violence. HIT 3 features a higher level of violence than typical Telugu films, but it’s genre-driven, not gratuitous. The film is designed to emotionally engage viewers and challenge them to understand the protagonist’s decisions, however morally grey they may be.

With HIT 3, Nani and the creators aim to provoke thought around the fine line between justice and vengeance, and whether a sense of purpose can ever excuse extreme actions. While audiences may feel uncomfortable with Arjun’s methods, Nani hopes they will walk away questioning the complexities of morality, especially when the protector becomes the punisher.

As the release date nears, HIT 3 is already creating buzz for its hard-hitting narrative and Nani’s intense portrayal of a cop battling both crime and inner conflict.