Drishyam 3 to Deliver Two Completely Different Stories in Malayalam and Hindi; Ajay Devgn vs Jaideep Ahlawat Set for Massive Box Office Thriller Clash -

Abhishek Pathak confirms Hindi and Malayalam versions of Drishyam 3 will follow separate narratives, expanding the franchise into Bollywood’s smartest cinematic universe gamble

The Drishyam universe is officially getting bigger, darker, and far more ambitious.

In what could become one of the boldest franchise experiments in Indian cinema history, the makers of Drishyam 3 have confirmed that the Malayalam and Hindi versions of the upcoming thriller will not be identical remakes. Instead, both films will feature distinct narratives, separate emotional arcs, and different storytelling approaches—while still existing within the same cinematic universe.

Yes, Bollywood and Malayalam cinema are about to pull off something audiences in India rarely get to witness: two versions of the same franchise moving in different creative directions.

And honestly? That could change the business of Indian franchise filmmaking forever.

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The Big Twist: Two Versions, Two Experiences

Speaking about the project, Abhishek Pathak revealed that the Hindi version of Drishyam 3 and the Malayalam version starring Mohanlal will evolve differently.

According to him, the Malayalam film leans heavily into emotional family drama, while the Hindi adaptation is being developed as a full-fledged drama-thriller.

That means audiences watching both films will get two completely different cinematic experiences.

And that’s exactly where the excitement lies.

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Why This Move Is a Game-Changer

Traditionally, Indian remakes follow the original storyline almost scene-by-scene. But Drishyam 3 is breaking that formula.

Instead of simply recreating the Malayalam film for Hindi audiences, Abhishek Pathak has developed a separate script keeping Hindi viewers in mind—particularly fans of Vijay Salgaonkar, played by Ajay Devgn.

This strategic shift could massively increase audience curiosity.

Fans who watch the Malayalam version on May 21 may still rush to theatres on October 2 to see how the Hindi version unfolds differently.

From a business perspective, this is genius.

The Franchise That Refuses to Slow Down

The Drishyam franchise has become one of Indian cinema’s most successful thriller properties.

What started as a Malayalam film directed by Jeethu Joseph in 2013 eventually exploded into a pan-Indian phenomenon, spawning remakes in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Chinese, and Sinhalese.

The Hindi adaptation, first directed by Nishikant Kamat in 2015, turned Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar into one of Bollywood’s most beloved thriller protagonists.

Then came Drishyam 2 in 2022, directed by Abhishek Pathak, which became a surprise blockbuster and revived Bollywood’s struggling box office at the time.

Now, expectations for Drishyam 3 are sky-high.

Ajay Devgn vs Jaideep Ahlawat: The New Power Clash

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the film is the addition of Jaideep Ahlawat.

After Akshaye Khanna exited the project despite playing a crucial role in Drishyam 2, the makers brought in Jaideep for a completely new character.

And insiders say his face-off with Ajay Devgn will become one of the film’s biggest highlights.

Abhishek Pathak himself hinted that the clash between Vijay Salgaonkar and Jaideep’s mysterious new character will leave audiences stunned.

Given Jaideep’s intense screen presence and growing popularity after multiple critically acclaimed performances, the casting already feels like a masterstroke.

Why Audiences Will Watch Both Versions

Normally, when a remake releases after the original, there’s a risk of spoilers hurting business.

But Kumar Mangat Pathak believes the emotional investment audiences have in Vijay Salgaonkar will ensure strong turnout for the Hindi version regardless of the Malayalam release.

And he may be right.

The Hindi Drishyam films have built their own identity over the years. Ajay Devgn’s grounded performance, the North Indian setting, and the emotional family dynamics have created a separate fanbase altogether.

In fact, the “What happened on October 2?” phenomenon became pop culture history in Bollywood.

Box Office Predictions Already Exploding

Trade analysts are already expecting huge numbers for both versions.

The Malayalam film, releasing first, is expected to dominate Kerala and overseas markets with strong advance bookings.

Meanwhile, the Hindi version arriving on Gandhi Jayanti weekend—October 2—is strategically positioned for a massive opening.

Thrillers perform exceptionally well during holiday periods, and the Drishyam brand already guarantees strong family turnout.

Industry experts believe the Hindi film could potentially become one of Ajay Devgn’s highest-grossing thrillers ever.

Panorama Studios Expands Into Malayalam Cinema

The Drishyam success story is also transforming Panorama Studios into a serious pan-Indian content player.

Kumar Mangat Pathak confirmed that the company plans to produce six Malayalam-language films this year, collaborating with major industry talents including Nivin Pauly and acclaimed writer-director Shahi Kabir.

This move reflects a broader trend in Indian cinema—regional industries are no longer being treated as isolated markets.

Instead, producers are building interconnected audiences across languages.

The Future of the Franchise Universe

Interestingly, Drishyam is not the only franchise Panorama Studios is developing.

The studio has also confirmed development on Raid 3 and Shaitaan 2.

But Abhishek Pathak insists they are being extremely careful not to dilute their brands.

Unlike several franchises that milk popularity without strong scripts, the Pathaks claim they are prioritizing storytelling over brand exploitation.

And that’s exactly why audiences continue to trust these franchises.

Can Drishyam 3 Redefine Indian Sequels?

The biggest achievement of Drishyam has always been its consistency.

Unlike many sequels that rely purely on nostalgia, this franchise has evolved intelligently with each installment.

Now, by creating two different stories for two major language markets, the makers are taking an even bigger creative risk.

If successful, this strategy could completely redefine how Indian remakes and franchise storytelling work in the future.

Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/ajay-devgn-moves-dhamaal-4-to-avoid-clash-with-akshay-kumars-welcome-to-the-jungle-bollywoods-smartest-box-office-move-of-2026/

Final Take

Drishyam 3 is no longer just another sequel.

It’s becoming a cinematic experiment, a business strategy, and potentially one of the most important franchise developments in modern Indian cinema.

With Ajay Devgn returning as Vijay Salgaonkar, Mohanlal continuing his legendary run, Jaideep Ahlawat entering the chaos, and two separate narratives promising fresh twists, the franchise is positioning itself for another historic run.

And if both versions deliver emotionally and commercially, Drishyam may officially become India’s smartest thriller universe.

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