Drishyam 3 Review: Ajay Devgn and Jaideep Ahlawat's Chess Match Makes This Finale Worth the Ticket, but the Ending Divides Fans

Sharp writing, a fiery new rival and strong visuals lift Vijay Salgaonkar’s last stand. A slow start and a less-than-grand farewell keep it from perfection.

MUMBAI: Vijay Salgaonkar has outsmarted the police twice. In Drishyam 3: The Conclusion, directed by Abhishek Pathak and released on Oct. 2, the question is whether a third round can still surprise us. Based on early critic reviews and audience reactions, the answer is mostly yes, with a few caveats.

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The Story: A Fresh Game, Not a Rerun

This time, the film is not a remake of the Malayalam original, and that is its boldest move. Pathak wrote the screenplay with Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh, and several critics say the new story fits neatly with the earlier films without feeling forced. Rather than repeating the old “cover-up” formula, the film adds a fresh layer to Vijay’s battle with the law.

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We won’t spoil the plot, but the pitch is simple. The family man who once beat the system faces a new opponent, and every twist depends on how clever he can be. Reviewers praise the writing, the reveals and the courtroom-style sequences as the film’s strongest pillars.

The Performances: Devgn Calm, Ahlawat on Fire

Ajay Devgn slips back into Vijay’s skin as if he never left. His quiet, controlled style is the heart of the franchise, and reviewers describe him as calm and in command. Some critics say he feels familiar rather than new, which suits a character defined by stillness.

Jaideep Ahlawat is the film’s biggest talking point. He plays Crime Branch officer Rajveer Tomar, and nearly every review singles him out as the new spark. His face-offs with Devgn, especially around the interval, are repeatedly called the highlight. His performance is described as controlled yet commanding, a perfect match for Vijay’s cool.

Tabu is called fabulous by one critic, though another says she and Devgn feel familiar rather than fresh. Shriya Saran reportedly gets a show-stealing moment in the pre-climax, while Prakash Raj, Rajat Kapoor and Kamlesh Sawant get moments to shine.

Direction, Visuals and Music

Abhishek Pathak receives strong marks for direction. Several reviewers say he understands what makes the franchise work and keeps the tension tight without overdoing it. Cinematographer Sudhir K. Chaudhary also gets praise, especially for framing interrogations and dialogue scenes so that even simple conversations feel intense. Ravi Basrur leads the music team, and the background score is among the elements critics single out.

Where It Stumbles

Not everything lands. A few critics mention a slow start before the film builds momentum, and some viewers find the thriller predictable. The biggest debate is the ending. One review says the final act is clever and entertaining but lacks the mic-drop moment you expect from a grand farewell, while others call it a satisfying wrap-up. The fan reaction is split on this, and that’s part of the fun, because everyone will argue about the finale.

What Critics Are Saying

The reception is positive but not unanimous. Ratings so far range from 3 to 4.5 out of 5, and one aggregator puts the early critics’ score at 69 out of 100, which counts as mixed to positive. Some reviewers call it the best film in the franchise, while others say it falls short of the original’s magic. If you love the series, you will almost certainly enjoy it. If you want a game-changing shocker, you might feel slightly underwhelmed.

The Business Side, Briefly

The box office doesn’t lie. Early figures put the film’s opening-day net above Rs 66 crore, one of the biggest Hindi openings of 2026, helped by advance bookings above Rs 60 crore gross. Compare that with Drishyam 2, which opened at Rs 15.38 crore and finished near Rs 345 crore worldwide. These are live trade numbers and may change, but they show how much the audience wanted this finale.

What It Means Next

A strong word of mouth could carry the film well beyond its holiday opening, especially since many viewers will want to rewatch the Ajay-Jaideep face-offs. For Jaideep Ahlawat, the response could open the door to bigger roles. For Pathak, an original third chapter proves he can handle a major franchise without a ready-made script. And for Devgn, Vijay Salgaonkar’s farewell adds one more successful chapter to his list of signature characters.

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Our Verdict

Drishyam 3: The Conclusion is a smart, well-acted thriller that wisely avoids repeating itself. The Ajay Devgn–Jaideep Ahlawat showdown, the sharp writing and the handsome visuals make it a satisfying watch. The slow start and the divisive ending keep it from being a perfect farewell, but it’s still a finale that most fans will be glad they saw on the big screen.

Our Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)

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