Mumbai, October 1 : As Drishyam 3 prepares to reach theatres on October 2, actor Ajay Devgn has revealed that he personally contacted Malayalam superstar Mohanlal before proceeding with the Hindi version of the third instalment.
The revelation comes ahead of the theatrical release of the much awaited crime thriller, which brings back Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar. The film is directed by Abhishek Pathak and features Tabu, Shriya Saran, Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj among the principal cast members.
The Drishyam franchise originated in Malayalam cinema, with Mohanlal playing the central character Georgekutty in the original films. The Hindi adaptation subsequently established its own audience with Devgn portraying Vijay Salgaonkar, a family man who becomes involved in a criminal investigation and uses his planning and knowledge of cinema to protect his family.
Speaking about the third instalment, Devgn said he believed it was important to speak to Mohanlal before moving ahead with the project. The actor explained that he wanted to ensure that the Hindi version remained connected to the spirit of the franchise while developing its own narrative.
The decision reflects the close relationship between the Malayalam original and the Hindi adaptations. The first Hindi film, released in 2015, was directed by Nishikant Kamat and became a major success. Devgn returned for Drishyam 2, directed by Abhishek Pathak, which was released in 2022.
The second film continued Vijay’s efforts to protect his family after the events of the first instalment. It expanded the investigation surrounding the disappearance of a young man and further explored the lengths to which Vijay would go to prevent his family from being implicated.
The third chapter now takes the story forward once again. Details of the plot have been kept relatively guarded, with the makers avoiding extensive disclosures before the theatrical release.
The return of the principal characters has been one of the major attractions surrounding the film. Devgn reprises Vijay, while Shriya Saran returns as his wife Nandini Salgaonkar. Tabu is also back as Meera Deshmukh, the police officer whose investigation has remained closely linked to Vijay’s family since the beginning of the franchise.
The addition of Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj has further expanded the cast. Their presence has generated curiosity about the direction in which the latest investigation will develop.
The Hindi Drishyam films have built their appeal around suspense, family loyalty and the consequences of a crime. Instead of relying primarily on conventional action, the series has focused on planning, deception and the gradual unveiling of information.
That approach has helped establish Vijay Salgaonkar as one of Devgn’s notable recent characters. Vijay is presented as an ordinary cable operator and family man in the first film, but his ability to anticipate the moves of investigators becomes central to the story.
The character’s knowledge of films and storytelling also forms an important part of the franchise’s identity. Vijay repeatedly uses information gathered from movies and popular culture while constructing his family’s version of events.
The upcoming film will therefore be watched closely to see how the makers extend a narrative that has already been through two major chapters.
Devgn’s decision to approach Mohanlal before making the third Hindi film also highlights the continuing connection between the two versions of the franchise. Although the Hindi adaptation has developed its own cast and creative identity, the Malayalam films remain the source material for the story.
Mohanlal’s Drishyam was released in 2013 and became a significant success in Malayalam cinema. Its sequel, Drishyam 2, premiered in 2021 and was initially released directly on Amazon Prime Video. The film later inspired the Hindi sequel as well as adaptations in other Indian languages.
The franchise has subsequently travelled beyond India, with versions made in several international markets. Its central premise has proved adaptable because the story revolves around universal themes involving family, fear, secrecy and the consequences of a crime.
For the Hindi audience, however, Devgn’s portrayal of Vijay remains at the centre of the series. His understated performance has been closely associated with the character’s calculated approach to protecting his family.
The upcoming release also represents another collaboration between Devgn and director Abhishek Pathak. Pathak directed Drishyam 2, which continued the Hindi franchise after the death of Nishikant Kamat.
The second instalment performed strongly at the box office and reinforced the commercial significance of the series. The third film now arrives with expectations built over the previous two chapters.
The makers have also assembled a strong supporting cast for the new instalment. Tabu’s return is particularly significant because her character has been central to the investigation involving Vijay and his family.
Meera Deshmukh’s pursuit of the truth has provided much of the tension in the previous films. The latest chapter is expected to further explore the relationship between the investigator and Vijay as the story enters another phase.
Shriya Saran’s return as Nandini also preserves the family dimension that has distinguished the franchise. Vijay’s decisions have consistently been motivated by his determination to shield his wife and daughters from the consequences of the original incident.
The third film arrives during a busy period for Hindi cinema, with several major releases scheduled around the beginning of October. Its October 2 release places it among the prominent theatrical launches of the month.
According to reports, Devgn has also spoken about seeking Mohanlal’s approval because of the respect he has for the original actor and the Malayalam version of the franchise. The interaction underlines the collaborative and interconnected nature of Indian film industries, where successful stories increasingly move between languages and markets.
While the filmmakers have maintained secrecy around the new plot, the title itself makes clear that the story remains part of the established Drishyam universe.
The challenge for the third instalment will be to introduce a fresh conflict while retaining the suspense-driven identity of the earlier films. The franchise’s success has been closely connected to its ability to keep audiences questioning what Vijay knows, what the police know and whether his carefully constructed plan can withstand renewed scrutiny.
With the film set to open in theatres on October 2, audiences will soon be able to see how the story develops and whether the latest chapter brings another twist to the Salgaonkar family’s journey.
The release also provides another opportunity for Devgn to revisit one of his most recognisable characters of the past decade. For viewers who have followed the series since 2015, Drishyam 3 represents the continuation of a story that has remained centred on one family’s attempt to survive the consequences of a life-changing incident.
The film’s connection to Mohanlal’s original Malayalam franchise adds another layer to its release. Devgn’s decision to seek the Malayalam star’s approval before proceeding reflects the regard with which the original version continues to be held even as the Hindi adaptation has established a separate identity.
With the theatrical release now imminent, the attention will shift from the development of the franchise to the new mystery at the heart of Drishyam 3.