As the third and likely concluding chapter of the Drishyam franchise, Drishyam 3 has arrived in two distinct versions—Malayalam (Mohanlal) and Hindi (Ajay Devgn)—both creating significant buzz among audiences. Overall, the film manages to retain the franchise's emotional core, thriller elements, and moral complexity, though there are mixed opinions regarding its narrative structure, twists, and character development.
Drishyam 3 (Hindi) – Cast and Crew
Main Cast
Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar, Tabu as Meera Deshmukh (IG, former police officer), Shriya Saran as Nandini Salgaonkar (Vijay's wife), Akshaye Khanna as Inspector General of Police (new antagonist), Ishita Dutta as Anju Salgaonkar (Vijay's daughter), Mrinal Jadhav as Ritu Salgaonkar (Vijay's younger daughter), Rajat Kapoor in a supporting role, Prakash Raj in a key supporting role
Jaideep Ahlawat as a senior crime branch officer
(Note: Some reports list Akshaye Khanna and Jaideep Ahlawat in prominent antagonist roles alongside Tabu.)
Crew
Director: Abhishek Pathak
Producer: Kumar Mangtani, Ajay Devgn (under Devgn Films and Panorama Studios)
Screenplay: Abhishek Pathak (adapted from Jeethu Joseph's original story)
Original Story: Jeethu Joseph
Music: Various background score composers; specific music credits vary by report
Cinematography: Not widely disclosed in early reports
Editor: Not widely disclosed in early reports
Production Houses: Devgn Films, Panorama Studios
Release Details
Release Date: October 2, 2026
Title: Drishyam: The Conclusion (Hindi)
Language: Hindi
Based On: Malayalam Drishyam franchise by Jeethu Joseph
Story Background and Context:
The story picks up several years after Drishyam 1 and 2; Georgekutty/ Vijay Salgaonkar's family continues to live with the weight of their past secret, though everything appears normal on the surface. In the Malayalam version, Georgekutty's family faces marriage-related pressures, social scrutiny, and the shadows of their past; in the Hindi version, the Goa-based Salgaonkar family finds themselves under fresh investigation, with a broken mother (Tabu) and a sharp crime branch officer (Jaideep Ahlawat) emerging as new adversaries.
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Performances: Who Shone the Brightest?
Mohanlal (Malayalam): Critics agree that Mohanlal's performance is the film's biggest asset; he subtly portrays Georgekutty's mental layers, exhaustion, and ultimately his survival instinct, especially in the climax.
Ajay Devgn (Hindi): Ajay Devgn, with his trademark minimal dialogue and expressive eyes, once again makes Vijay Salgaonkar believable; many reviews highlight how his presence anchors the film.
Tabu and Jaideep Ahlawat (Hindi): Tabu's portrayal of a broken mother and Jaideep's cunning, pressure-inducing police officer sharpen the film's conflict; both receive praise in many reviews, though some feel Jaideep's character could have been explored more deeply.
Supporting Cast (Both Versions): In Malayalam, Meena, Siddique, Asha Sharath, and Kalabhavan Shajon deliver solid performances in supporting roles; in Hindi, Prakash Raj, Rajat Kapoor, and Shriya Saran are effective, though some critics note their characters feel somewhat convenient or lack depth.
Narrative Structure, Twists, and Thrills:
Where It Won and Where It Lost
The Malayalam version has received mixed reactions: many feel the first half is slow, some scenes feel repetitive, and the twists aren't as sharp as the previous two films; though the second half builds emotion and tension, some narrative gaps and underutilized character potential remain. Some viewers note the film leans heavily into "family drama" mode, so those expecting an intense thriller may feel disappointed.
On the other hand, early reviews and social media reactions for the Hindi version show considerable enthusiasm for the climax and twists; many find the last 30 minutes highly engaging, with some twists feeling even better than before. However, some critics and viewers feel the courtroom drama and resolution are somewhat "convenient" or overly commercial, which reduces the depth of moral complexity.
Emotion vs. Thriller:
The Franchise's New Direction:
Drishyam 3 (Malayalam) clearly leans more toward emotion and psychological tension; here, Georgekutty's "invincible intellect" takes a backseat to his fatigue, hesitation, and the weight of family responsibilities. Consequently, viewers who came expecting sharp thrills may feel let down, while those interested in exploring the character's internal conflict find the film meaningful.
The Hindi version faces a similar tug-of-war: Vijay's restrained strength and family bonds form the film's core, but the new police officer's character and investigation trajectory create a mix of hope and disappointment.
Direction, Screenplay, and Production Aspects:
The Malayalam version has seen divided opinions on Jeethu Joseph's direction; some note that visual language, color grading, and certain continuity issues reduce the film's organic feel. The script's pacing, especially the slow first half and some filler scenes, has also drawn criticism.
In the Hindi version, Abhishek Pathak's direction and screenplay have received considerable praise; many feel he has preserved the franchise's DNA while moving forward, effectively handling courtroom drama and tension build-up. However, questions remain about editing and character depth in certain areas, particularly in the portrayal of the new antagonists.
Box Office and Audience Reception
The Malayalam version created a festive atmosphere on release day with massive advance bookings; Mohanlal's birthday release added an emotional layer for fans. The Hindi version also broke advance booking records, with trade circles showing enthusiasm for first-day collections. Social media is buzzing with discussions about the climax, twists, and performances, though comparative debates about the Malayalam and Hindi endings have also emerged.
Overall Assessment
Drishyam 3 serves as an emotionally charged, morally complex, and thriller-packed conclusion to the franchise, though it doesn't fully meet every viewer's expectations. The presence of Mohanlal/Ajay Devgn, family bonds, and the ultimate notion of a "victorious Vijay/Georgekutty" keep the film audience-friendly; meanwhile, the mixed opinions on twist sharpness, character depth, and the logic of the resolution have become the film's most defining feature.
Brief Rating (Overall Impression):
Malayalam: 2.5–3/5 (Strong in performance and emotion, slightly weaker in thrills)
Hindi: 3/5 (Acceptable in performance and climax, with some convenient writing in places)
Q1. What is Drishyam 3 about?
A: Drishyam 3 is the third installment of the Drishyam franchise, following Georgekutty/Vijay Salgaonkar and his family as they face new threats years after the events of the first two films.
Q2. Are there two versions of Drishyam 3?
A: Yes, the film was released in two versions—Malayalam starring Mohanlal and Hindi starring Ajay Devgn—each with its own cast and slight narrative variations.
Q3. Who directed the Malayalam version of Drishyam 3?
A: The Malayalam version was directed by Jeethu Joseph, who also directed the first two Drishyam films.
Q4. Who directed the Hindi version of Drishyam 3?
A: The Hindi version, titled Drishyam: The Conclusion, was directed by Abhishek Pathak.
Q5. How is Mohanlal's performance in Drishyam 3?
A: Mohanlal's performance is widely praised as the film's biggest strength, especially his subtle portrayal of Georgekutty's exhaustion, fear, and survival instinct.
Q6. How does Ajay Devgn fare in the Hindi version?
A: Ajay Devgn delivers a restrained yet powerful performance as Vijay Salgaonkar, anchoring the film with his minimal dialogue and expressive eyes.
Q7. Who are the main antagonists in Drishyam 3?
A: In the Hindi version, Tabu returns as the grieving mother, and Jaideep Ahlawat plays a sharp crime branch officer leading the new investigation against Vijay's family.
Q8. Is Drishyam 3 more emotional or thriller-oriented?
A: The film leans more toward emotion and psychological tension, especially in the Malayalam version, though it retains thriller elements throughout.
Q9. How are the twists in Drishyam 3 compared to the previous films?
A: Opinions are mixed; some viewers find the twists engaging, especially in the Hindi version's climax, while others feel they aren't as sharp as Drishyam 1 and 2.
Q10. What do critics say about the Malayalam version's pacing?
A: Many critics note that the first half of the Malayalam version is slow, with some repetitive scenes, though the second half builds emotion and tension effectively.
Q11. How is the Hindi version's climax received?
A: The Hindi version's climax has received considerable praise, with many viewers and early reviewers calling it engaging and well-executed.
Q12. Are the supporting characters well-developed in Drishyam 3?
A: Supporting characters receive mixed feedback; some are effective, but critics note that several feel underdeveloped or convenient to the plot.
Q13. How did Drishyam 3 perform at the box office?
A: Both versions saw massive advance bookings and strong opening-day collections, with the Malayalam version benefiting from Mohanlal's birthday release.
Q14. What is the overall rating for Drishyam 3?
A: Roughly, the Malayalam version scores around 2.5–3/5, while the Hindi version scores around 3/5, reflecting strong performances but mixed narrative execution.
Q15. Is Drishyam 3 worth watching for fans of the franchise?
A: Yes, especially for fans invested in Georgekutty/Vijay's journey; the film offers emotional closure and familiar thrills, even if it doesn't fully match the sharpness of the earlier installments.