The buzz around the upcoming box office clash between HIT 3 and Raid 2 is impossible to miss. Instead of hyping up rivalry, actor Nani took a refreshingly positive approach during promotions. When reporters pressed him about competing against Ajay Devgn's sequel, Nani laughed it off and encouraged moviegoers to give preference to Raid 2 if that's their choice. He made it clear he respects Devgn and sees the film world as a place where everyone deserves a shot to shine.
This isn’t just showbiz talk. Nani’s words reflect a bigger shift happening in the industry. The days of bitter feuds over release dates are fading. During the same promotional event, Nani also chatted with Tamil star Suriya, who wished success for both HIT 3 and Raid 2 just before his own film Retro hits theaters. Nani was quick to reciprocate, admitting he was also excited to catch Retro. He repeated his main point—let’s fill up every screening, for every film.
While stars are keeping it friendly, directors are under pressure to deliver. Rajkumar Gupta, the filmmaker behind Raid 2, pointed out just how tough it is to make a sequel that stands up to the original. For him, simply playing it safe isn’t enough—a story has to demand a comeback. Gupta says Ajay Devgn is the perfect fit for the sequel because he's willing to completely change himself for a role. It’s that kind of dedication, the director argues, that gives a sequel a fighting chance at the box office.
Meanwhile, HIT 3 is already making waves overseas. Advance bookings, especially in the US, are way ahead of typical Telugu film openings, even with Raid 2 and Retro sharing the spotlight. This early momentum hints at genuine excitement—not just among Nani’s core fans but with broader audiences.
The tension over release dates isn’t just about star power or larger-than-life marketing campaigns. It speaks to a deeper change in Indian cinema. More actors are now stepping out of old rivalries and encouraging people to watch every film out there. Nani’s willingness to suggest audiences watch his competitor’s movie first might have seemed strange a decade ago, but it fits right in with today's spirit of collaboration.
For fans, the real win is in the experience—more choices, fresh stories, and a chance to return to theaters for something out of the ordinary. As these films line up for release, the only certain thing is that the energy in cinemas is about to get a major boost.