Drishyam 3 Hindi Version to Feature New Twists, Confirm Makers

The makers of Drishyam 3 have confirmed that the Hindi adaptation starring Ajay Devgn will not completely follow the narrative of Mohanlal’s Malayalam original, with director Abhishek Pathak revealing that the Hindi version has been redesigned with fresh twists, a different storytelling approach, and a more intense thriller tone tailored specifically for Hindi audiences.

The update arrives at a time when excitement around the third instalment of the hugely successful franchise is already at its peak. Mohanlal’s Malayalam version is preparing for a theatrical release on May 21, while the Hindi adaptation is currently in post-production and is expected to arrive on October 2, a date that has become deeply connected to the Drishyam universe over the years. The announcement has immediately sparked fresh curiosity among fans who are now eager to understand how differently the two versions will unfold on screen.

Drishyam 3 Hindi Version Will Not Mirror Malayalam Original

Speaking about the upcoming Hindi adaptation, Abhishek Pathak made it clear that audiences should not expect a frame-by-frame remake of Mohanlal’s Malayalam film. According to the filmmaker, while both versions begin from the same emotional and narrative space established at the end of Drishyam 2, the Hindi version gradually moves into its own territory with a noticeably different treatment, pacing, and emotional texture.

Pathak explained that the Malayalam film leans more strongly into family drama and emotional conflict, whereas the Hindi adaptation starring Ajay Devgn has been shaped more as a family thriller with heightened suspense elements. He also hinted that the differences between the two films will become more obvious once promotional material begins releasing, especially the trailer, which he believes will clearly establish the separate identities of both versions.

The filmmaker confirmed that shooting for the Hindi version has already been completed and that the team is presently working on patchwork and post-production ahead of the planned October 2 release. Given how strongly the date is associated with the Drishyam franchise, the makers appear keen to continue that tradition with the third chapter as well.

Makers Promise Bigger Twists and a New Narrative Direction

The Drishyam films have earned a reputation for intelligent writing, layered suspense, and shocking final reveals that completely shift audience perception. That legacy, according to Abhishek Pathak, has made the pressure surrounding the third instalment significantly higher because viewers are already walking into the film expecting something extraordinary.

Speaking about the writing process, Pathak revealed that the story was developed by first solving the climax and then constructing the narrative backwards from that point. He explained that a film like Drishyam cannot be written in a straightforward linear manner because the suspense depends entirely on how carefully the pieces are placed throughout the screenplay.

The director also disclosed that there was substantial collaboration between his own draft and the version written by original creator Jeethu Joseph. Both writers reportedly exchanged ideas, studied each other’s approaches, and eventually developed separate tracks that would work best for their respective audiences. According to Pathak, Jeethu Joseph’s version carried stronger Malayalam drama sensibilities, while the Hindi adaptation evolved into a sharper thriller designed around the expectations of Hindi-speaking viewers.

That creative split now appears to be one of the defining elements separating the two films. Rather than simply recreating the Malayalam story, the Hindi team seems determined to give audiences an entirely fresh experience while preserving the emotional core that made the franchise successful in the first place.

Why the Drishyam Franchise Continues to Dominate Audiences

Very few Indian film franchises have managed to sustain suspense and audience engagement the way Drishyam has over the past decade. The original Malayalam film, released in 2013 and starring Mohanlal and Meena, became a landmark success because of its tightly written screenplay and emotionally grounded storytelling. Instead of relying on spectacle or large-scale action, the film built tension through ordinary family dynamics, moral dilemmas, and psychological manipulation.

The story follows Georgekutty, a seemingly simple family man whose life turns upside down after a crime involving his family leads to a dangerous confrontation with law enforcement. What made the film stand apart was its ability to combine emotional drama with carefully layered suspense, resulting in a climax that audiences still discuss years later.

The success of the Malayalam original eventually led to remakes in several languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and others. Ajay Devgn stepped into the role for the Hindi adaptations, while Venkatesh Daggubati played Rambabu in the Telugu versions titled Drushyam and Drushyam 2. Both actors received strong audience appreciation for bringing their own regional identity to the character while maintaining the emotional depth of the original story.

Now, with Drishyam 3 preparing for release, expectations have become even higher because audiences are no longer simply waiting for another sequel. They are expecting a final showdown powerful enough to justify the franchise’s long-standing reputation.

Telugu Remake Faces Uncertainty

Alongside the updates surrounding the Hindi adaptation, another major development has disappointed sections of Telugu audiences. Reports currently suggest that there may not be a dedicated Telugu remake of Drishyam 3 this time around.

According to reports emerging from Telugu film circles, the makers are instead considering releasing the Malayalam original in Telugu as a dubbed version rather than producing a separate remake starring Venkatesh Daggubati. One of the primary reasons reportedly involves the actor’s packed shooting schedule, which has made it difficult to allocate time for another remake project in the immediate future.

Trade observers also believe that delaying a Telugu remake too long could weaken the suspense factor because the Malayalam original is already nearing release. Since the franchise depends heavily on twists and narrative surprises, there are concerns that audiences may already become familiar with key plot points before a remake can eventually enter production.

The reports have generated mixed reactions online. While many fans understand the practical challenges involved, others have expressed disappointment because Venkatesh’s portrayal of Rambabu had become deeply connected with Telugu audiences through the first two films. For many viewers, the emotional attachment to the Telugu version remains just as strong as the connection Malayalam audiences have with Mohanlal’s Georgekutty.

Panorama Studios Expands Its Malayalam Cinema Ambitions

Beyond Drishyam 3, Panorama Studios is also aggressively expanding its presence in Malayalam cinema. Producers Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak recently revealed that the production house has multiple Malayalam projects already in development, with several films lined up for the coming year.

According to the producers, their interest in Malayalam cinema grew significantly during the lockdown period, when the team spent time watching and studying films from the industry. They explained that Malayalam cinema’s emphasis on content-driven storytelling and grounded narratives convinced them that regional stories now possess wider national and global appeal than ever before.

The production house reportedly spent nearly one and a half years researching the industry, meeting writers, building relationships, and understanding the storytelling culture before expanding operations into the Malayalam market. The producers also praised Mohanlal for his humility and professionalism, hinting that future collaborations beyond Drishyam may already be under discussion.

There were even suggestions that a future project featuring both Ajay Devgn and Mohanlal together could eventually happen, although the makers stressed that such discussions are still at an early stage.

A Franchise Preparing for Its Biggest Test Yet

What makes Drishyam 3 particularly fascinating is that audiences across multiple language industries are now approaching the film with very different expectations. Malayalam viewers are waiting to see how Jeethu Joseph concludes Georgekutty’s story, while Hindi audiences are preparing for a version that promises entirely new narrative turns and a more thriller-heavy approach.

That balancing act may ultimately become the film’s biggest challenge and also its greatest strength. Instead of relying solely on nostalgia or repetition, the makers appear determined to evolve the franchise while still preserving the tension, emotional stakes, and unpredictability that made Drishyam such a phenomenon in the first place.

With Mohanlal’s version arriving first and Ajay Devgn’s adaptation following later in the year, Drishyam 3 is now shaping up to become one of the most closely watched Indian film releases of 2026.