Ajay Devgn's 'Drishyam 3' faces major threat as Mohanlal’s Malayalam original eyes a Pan-India release

Mohanlal’s 'Drishyam' franchise, a crime thriller series that became a massive hit in Malayalam cinema, has gained gobal fame, especially with its remakes in other languages. The Hindi version, starring Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn, was a significant success, and its sequel performed exceptionally well at the box office. However, recent reports suggest that Ajay’s 'Drishyam 3' could face some serious threat from Mohanlal’s Malayalam original, which is now targeting a pan-India audience.
Mohanlal’s ambitious plan for 'Drishyam 3'
According to a recent Mid-Day report, Mohanlal, along with director Jeethu Joseph and producer Antony Perumbavoor, is aiming to release 'Drishyam 3' as a bilingual film. They plan to target both the Malayalam and Hindi-speaking audiences, making it a true pan-India release. This strategic move is not entirely unexpected, as the 'Drishyam' franchise has already gained a strong following in North India due to the success of the Hindi remakes.
This shift in focus could spell trouble for Ajay’s remake of 'Drishyam 3'. Although reportedly the Hindi version of 'Drishyam 3' will have a completely different storyline compared to the Malayalam original, unlike the previous films, which were direct remakes. This change could make the Hindi version stand apart but also complicate the competition between the two versions.

The Popularity of the 'Drishyam' franchise
The 'Drishyam' series first captivated audiences in 2013 with its Malayalam release, becoming the highest-grossing film in the language. The sequel, released directly on OTT in 2021, also garnered massive attention. The Hindi version, starring Ajay Devgn, was released in 2015, and while the first film did moderately well at the box office, the sequel, 'Drishyam 2' (2022), became one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, grossing approximately Rs. 350 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.
Ajay had even confirmed that the work on 'Drishyam 3' will begin soon. However, fresh reports suggest that Mohanlal’s team is planning to release their Malayalam original 'Drishyam 3' in both Malayalam and Hindi. This development could pose a threat to the Hindi remake’s box office performance.

Mohanlal to begin filming in May
Mohanlal’s 'Drishyam 3' is expected to begin filming by the end of May 2025. The team is working hard to ensure that the film’s production starts on schedule, with the possibility of a release later in the year. Meanwhile, Devgn’s team is still in the early stages of production, with the script for the Hindi version is still been worked upon.
The report further mentions that Ajay 'Drishyam 3' can only begin filming in October, as he must first complete his commitments for 'Dhamaal 4' and 'Ranger'. Kumar Mangat Pathak, who has produced the Hindi remakes of the franchise, is reportedly in discussions with the original makers to explore the possibility of a simultaneous release for both the Malayalam and Hindi versions. This could help manage the competition between the two films.