Superstar Mohanlal gave his millions of fans the ultimate birthday gift on Thursday, May 21, 2026, as the highly anticipated thriller Drishyam 3 officially made its grand premiere across global theaters. Riding on the monumental legacy of its predecessors, the Jeethu Joseph directorial witnessed immense pre-release buzz, translating directly into packed houses for early morning and matinee shows.
Despite initial reviews leaning toward a more mixed response than the critically acclaimed second installment, the sheer pulling power of the iconic franchise has locked the film into a massive box office trajectory on day one.
Massive Initial Projections Set the Box Office Ablaze
Early trade estimates indicate that Drishyam 3 is securely on track to score a spectacular opening day net collection between ₹15 crore and ₹20 crore across India. Multiplex chains and single screens in Kerala have reported near-100% occupancies, while satellite markets in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and international circuits are showing heavy momentum. Trade experts note that if evening and night show trends maintain this velocity, the final day-one collection could easily breach the upper limit of initial projections, establishing a historic benchmark for the Malayalam film industry.
High Stakes on a Heavy Production Budget
While the producers have maintained secrecy regarding the official financial sheet, industry insiders report that Drishyam 3 was mounted on an ambitious budget of roughly ₹100 crore, making it one of the most expensive projects in the franchise’s history. Given the high structural costs, securing a bumper opening was vital for the distributors. However, with the film carrying mixed critical feedback, the real test of endurance will begin on Monday, when the narrative’s legs will rely purely on word-of-mouth rather than brand nostalgia.
Mohanlal Shares Deep Emotional Note with Moviegoers
As box office numbers began rolling in, Mohanlal took to social media to share a deeply sentimental letter expressing his gratitude toward the audience for standing beside his character, Georgekutty, over the last decade. The legendary actor emphasized that personal connection and audience emotion outweigh any commercial records.
“Drishyam 3 was made with immense love, passion, and gratitude, and seeing that love come back through your response has been deeply moving,” he shared. “Your reviews, your words, and the emotions you have shared mean far more to me than any number ever can. Thank you for watching, for connecting, for feeling every moment, and for embracing Georgekutty and family as your own.”