The wait is finally over for thriller fans. Drishyam 3, the third and reportedly final installment of the blockbuster franchise, has officially commenced production. The news was confirmed on Friday, January 16, 2026, by actress Ishita Dutta, who plays Ajay Devgn’s eldest daughter in the film.
Sharing a photo of the film’s clapboard from the Goa sets on Instagram, Ishita teased fans with the caption: “Do I need to say more….. #Drishyam3.”
Release Dates: A Tale of Two Versions
Following the tradition of the franchise, the original Malayalam version will lead the way, followed by the Hindi adaptation.
- Malayalam (Mohanlal): Director Jeethu Joseph has already wrapped the shoot for the original. On January 14, 2026, Mohanlal officially announced that the Malayalam Drishyam 3 will release worldwide on April 2, 2026, coinciding with Vishu.
- Hindi (Ajay Devgn): The Hindi remake, directed by Abhishek Pathak, is locked for October 2, 2026. The date is a clever nod to the “2nd October” alibi that became a national meme after the first film.
Casting Shake-up: Akshaye Khanna Out, Jaideep Ahlawat In
While the core Salgaonkar family—Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Ishita Dutta—reprises their roles, the project has hit a major casting hurdle.
- The Exit: Akshaye Khanna, who played the sharp-witted IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2, has reportedly exited the project. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak expressed frustration over the move, citing disagreements over remuneration and the actor’s insistence on wearing a wig, which the makers felt would hurt the sequel’s continuity.
- The New Face: Powerhouse performer Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok) has officially joined the cast for the third installment. While director Abhishek Pathak has kept the details under wraps, Jaideep is expected to play a high-ranking officer determined to finally close the case on Vijay Salgaonkar.
The Story So Far
Drishyam 3 is expected to pick up years after the events of the second film. The teaser tagline, “Aakhri Hissa Baaki Hai” (The last part remains), suggests that the long-buried secrets of the Salgaonkar family might finally resurface, leading to a definitive conclusion for the game of cat-and-mouse between the common man and the law.