Nani's HIT 3 Team Accused Of Plagiarism; Madras High Court Sends Legal Notice To Makers

Actor Nani's latest film, HIT: The Third Case, directed by Sailesh Kolanu, is embroiled in a legal controversy. The Madras High Court has issued a notice to the filmmakers following allegations of plagiarism by writer Soniya Vimal. She claims the movie is an unauthorised adaptation of her unpublished works.

Soniya Vimal asserts that HIT 3 bears a striking resemblance to her scripts, Agent 11 and Agent V. She registered these with the South Indian Film Writers' Association on August 4, 2021. Later, she sent a synopsis to Nani on August 8, 2022, hoping for collaboration but received no response.

Plagiarism Allegations and Legal Proceedings

After watching HIT 3 in theatres, Soniya was shocked by the similarities between her story and the film's plot. She noted only minor changes were made and provided a detailed comparison as evidence in her legal petition. The court notice aims to prevent further rights assignments or acts of infringement related to the movie.

Soniya is seeking a share of the film's profits, demanding 20% as damages and compensation. She also filed a complaint with the South Indian Film Writers' Association but claims no action has been taken yet. Despite being a fan of Nani, she insists her admiration doesn't excuse the alleged unauthorised use of her work.

Film Details and Production

HIT: The Third Case is a Telugu-language neo-noir action thriller released on May 1, 2025. It is produced by Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions. This film marks the third instalment in the HIT series after HIT: The Second Case (2022). Nani stars alongside Srinidhi Shetty in this gripping tale of a police officer hunting down brutal killers.

The High Court notice explicitly states that HIT 3 was adapted from Soniya's registered script. It seeks to restrain any further rights assignments or infringements related to the film. As of now, there has been no official response from the makers regarding these allegations.

Soniya's legal actions highlight ongoing issues within the film industry regarding intellectual property rights. Her case underscores the importance of protecting original works and ensuring creators receive due credit and compensation for their contributions.