“This is my place for life”: Surya Srinivas on HIT 3, Nani & the journey so far

Surya Srinivas is a true example of what passion, patience, and self-belief can do. From Advertisements to a solid role in a big franchise like HIT 3, his journey shows that slow and steady can still win the race.

Hyderabad: Surya Srinivas, who played a key role in HIT: The Third Case, has been steadily carving a space for himself in the film industry. Though not a mainstream star, his presence in the film added an interesting dimension to the storyline. In a candid chat with Telangana Today, Surya opens up about landing the role, working with Nani, and how his journey so far has been a mix of passion, patience and purpose.

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His entry into HIT 3 was nothing short of cinematic. “I got a call from Wall Poster Cinema. They said they were from the HIT franchise and asked me to drop by. When I walked in, Sailesh sir was reading a book. He asked me what I do, and I showed him my previous work. I had a three-minute video I had recorded for an audition—it wasn’t even meant for this role. But after watching it, he said, ‘That’s enough. I’ll talk to Nani and get back to you.’ And boom—I was in.”

No formal audition. No second guessing. Just raw talent that did the talking.

Unlike others who deep-dive into method acting, Surya let the story lead him. “I didn’t prepare separately. I followed the script and trusted the vibe. Initially, I thought I needed the typical police look. But Sailesh sir said, ‘This is HIT. You don’t have to look like a regular cop. Keep the beard, be real.’ That made me feel at home.”

The real breakthrough, however, came from an unexpected bond—with Nani himself.

“For the first seven days, we didn’t even talk. I’m an introvert and just couldn’t break the ice. But during a chase sequence, I opened up and told him that. To my surprise, he said he was an introvert too! That one conversation shifted everything. We spoke about our roots, how he started as an AD and got pushed into acting. I’m also someone who began as an associate director, so our stories clicked. That gave me a crazy amount of confidence.”

From managing 100-member teams in college NCC to scripting shows and acting across platforms, Surya’s journey has been far from typical. “Cinema was always the end goal. I even got placed in campus jobs but never looked back. This is my place. This is home.”

The experience of HIT 3, he says, was on another level. “The scale, the technicians, the storytelling—everything felt big. Sailesh sir isn’t just a director, he’s a problem-solver. When you’re in that kind of ecosystem, you feel unstoppable.”

On what’s next, Surya shares, “3 Roses Season 2 is ready, China Piece is coming, and I’m playing a lead with Master Bharath in an untitled film. Two other small films are lined up. I’m just keeping the hustle alive.”

On dream genres and dream directors? “I don’t stick to just one genre. I really enjoy emotional scenes and comedy, they come naturally to me. But I also love action comedies like Deadpool—those are my guilty pleasure! People usually cast me in romcoms because of my soft look, but trust me, I’m ready for dark and intense roles too. During Simha’s wedding, I got lucky—there’s a picture of me standing right between Rajamouli sir and Keeravani sir. It looked just like a film promo still! That moment? That’s my current dream—I want to work with them one day.”

To upcoming actors, he has one clear message: “The industry is wide open now. Use your tools, post your clips, stay honest. If you’re talented, you will be noticed. This is a talent-driven business—and there’s no shortcut. Keep showing up.”

Surya Srinivas is a true example of what passion, patience, and self-belief can do. From Advertisements to a solid role in a big franchise like HIT 3, his journey shows that slow and steady can still win the race. With his honest approach, strong work ethic, and love for cinema, Surya is not just chasing roles—he’s building a lasting space for himself in the industry. And looking at his energy and clarity, it’s clear—this is only the beginning.