The Madras High Court has issued a notice to the makers of the Telugu film HIT: The Third Case (HIT 3), following a plea from scriptwriter Vimal @Vimalavelan, who claims the movie is an unauthorised adaptation of his work.
Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy ordered the notice, returnable by 7 July 2025, and adjourned the matter for further hearing.
Vimal, a registered member of the South Indian Film Writers’ Association, has sought a declaration that the film, which stars actor Nani, is based on a script he had developed and registered on 4 August 2021. He claims he shared the synopsis with Nani in August 2022, hoping to collaborate, but received no reply.
To his shock, Vimal alleges that HIT 3, released in cinemas recently, closely follows his storyline with only minor changes. He has requested the court to restrain the filmmakers from selling or distributing the rights of the film any further, and is also seeking 20% of the film’s profits as damages.
Despite issuing legal notices and submitting a complaint to the writers’ association, with what he claims is substantial evidence, Vimal says he has received no response or support.
Due to the financial and creative harm he says he has suffered, Vimal has also requested the court to allow the case to proceed without the standard pre-suit mediation. The case will be heard next in early July.
