Chennai’s press rooms buzzed with energy on April 26 as Telugu star Nani, sporting a white shirt scrawled with fan signatures, faced a swarm of mics and cameras. His film, HIT: The Third Case, is set to hit theaters on May 1, locking horns with Tamil heavyweight Suriya’s Retro. But Nani, ever the diplomat, didn’t flinch when asked about the clash. “I don’t think it’s competition,” he said, leaning into the mic with a grin. “It’s a party. We’re both coming to celebrate our films with all of you.”
The two films couldn’t be more different. HIT: The Third Case, directed by Sailesh Kolanu, casts Nani as Arjun Sarkaar, a hard-nosed cop chasing leads in a grim case involving a missing nine-month-old. Its teaser, released weeks earlier, showed Sarkaar cracking skulls and cracking cases, with a voiceover hinting at a murky past: “Are you really a police officer?” Retro, meanwhile, is Karthik Subbaraj’s latest, a Tamil romantic action flick starring Suriya and Pooja Hegde. Its trailer, unveiled on April 18 at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, paints Suriya as a gangster vowing to ditch violence for love, set against Varanasi’s glowing ghats.
Nani, speaking at the Chennai press meet, tipped his hat to Suriya’s pull in Tamil Nadu. “Retro will be the first choice for the Tamil audience, and rightfully so,” he said. He wasn’t just being polite—industry insiders note Retro’s Tamil-language roots and Suriya’s star power give it a home-turf edge. Still, Nani’s no underdog. HIT: The Third Case has racked up $115,102 in U.S. pre-sales across 300 locations by April 25, dwarfing Retro’s $3,670 across 19 spots. The Telugu actioner’s gritty vibe and franchise cred are pulling crowds, especially in Telugu-speaking regions.
But Nani’s not here for a turf war. He wants May 1 to be a cinematic carnival. “A great weekend can have two films,” he said, his voice steady but warm. “I hope you have a blast watching Retro. I’ve got huge respect for Suriya sir, and I love Karthik’s work.” He promised fans a “great experience” with HIT 3, too, and even rooted for Retro’s Telugu-dubbed version to shine. He didn’t stop there—Nani name-checked Bollywood’s Raid 2, also dropping May 1, hoping all three films pack theaters and “bring audiences back in hordes.”
Retro’s been building steam since its release date was locked in on January 8. Karthik Subbaraj, known for Jigarthanda’s raw energy, announced it on social media with a poster of Suriya looking fierce, captioned, “The One from May One!!” The film’s songs, like “Kanimaa” and “The One,” have clocked over 50 million views, with a viral hook step flooding social media. HIT 3, meanwhile, leans on its franchise’s cult following. Directed by Kolanu and produced by Prashanthi Tipirneni, it stars Srinidhi Shetty alongside Nani, with a teaser that’s all blood, sweat, and suspense.
The May 1 showdown isn’t just about Nani and Suriya. It’s a litmus test for South Indian cinema, which has been starving for a box office win. Theater owners in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are crossing their fingers, hoping both films deliver. Retro, made on a reported 65-crore budget, is Suriya’s shot at a theatrical hit after Kanguva’s flop. HIT 3, with its A-rating and dark tone, is Nani’s bid to cement his action-hero cred.
Nani’s words cut through the hype: no rivalry, just reels. “After you enjoy Retro, come see HIT 3,” he urged. “We’re all here to deliver.” On May 1, fans will decide who rules the screens—or if both stars can share the spotlight.