Drishyam 3’ Hindi Version To Be A ‘Family Thriller’ Unlike Malayalam’s Drama Focus, Confirms Director Abhishek Pathak; Ajay Devgn Starrer In Post-Production For October 2, 2026 Release

The Drishyam franchise is gearing up for its biggest chapter yet, and director Abhishek Pathak is promising a distinct identity for the Hindi version. In a candid conversation, Pathak revealed the core difference between the upcoming Drishyam 3 and its Malayalam counterpart. “The Malayalam version focuses more on family drama, while the Hindi version will lean more towards a family thriller. That’s the fabric of the film,” the director said. He added that the tonal shift will be evident from the first promotional material itself: “When the trailer releases, audiences will see how different the two worlds are.” The statement sets the stage for a Hindi adaptation that respects the original’s emotional core but dials up suspense and pacing for pan-India sensibilities.

Drishyam 3 starring Ajay Devgn is currently deep in post-production, with the makers locking October 2, 2026, as the release date. The Gandhi Jayanti holiday, coupled with a long weekend, gives the thriller a lucrative runway at the box office. The film wrapped principal photography in July 2026 after a 70-day marathon schedule across Mumbai, Goa, and Tihri, Uttarakhand. Sources confirm that VFX and sound design work is underway at Studios, with Pathak and editor Sandeep Francis aiming for a tight 2-hour-20-minute cut. Given the franchise’s legacy  Drishyam 2 collected ₹240.54 crore net in India  expectations are sky-high. The October 2 slot also pits it against no major Hindi releases yet, though trade expects competition to surface closer to date.

The creative decision to pivot toward a “family thriller” tag for Hindi comes from audience feedback and market data post-Drishyam 2. While Jeethu Joseph’s Malayalam originals are lauded for their slow-burn, emotionally dense storytelling, the Hindi adaptations under Abhishek Pathak have found success by amplifying tension and set-pieces. Drishyam 2 Hindi added an interrogation sequence and a tighter climax that weren’t in the Mohanlal version, and the gamble paid off commercially. For part 3, Pathak and writer Aamil Keeyan Khan have reportedly reworked several beats to enhance the thriller quotient while keeping Georgekutty/Vijay Salgaonkar’s moral dilemma intact. “The family is still the heart. But the threat, the cat-and-mouse game with the cops  that’s where we’ve gone darker and faster,” a source close to the production said.

Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar, the cable operator whose life spiraled after the events of the first two films. Tabu reprises her role as IG Meera Deshmukh, with Akshaye Khanna expected to have an expanded track as the new investigating officer. Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, and Mrunal Jadhav round out the Salgaonkar family. Unlike Drishyam 2, which was a near scene-by-scene remake, Drishyam 3 Hindi will reportedly take bigger liberties. The Malayalam version, Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal, is also in the works and is said to be more introspective, exploring the psychological toll on Georgekutty’s family years after the crime. Abhishek Pathak’s comment underlines that both films, though stemming from the same story seed, will offer different cinematic experiences.

With 5 months to release, the marketing campaign for Drishyam 3 is expected to kick off by August 2026. The studio, Panorama Studios and Viacom18, is betting big on the franchise’s brand recall and Ajay Devgn’s post Singham Again momentum. The ₹150 crore budget makes it the most expensive Drishyam yet, with a significant chunk allocated to location-heavy chase sequences and a real-time rain climax. If Pathak delivers on his “family thriller” promise, Drishyam 3 could redefine how regional remakes are adapted for Hindi audiences  not as copies, but as companion pieces. For now, the Salgaonkars are back in the edit room, and October 2, 2026, is circled in every trade diary. The trailer will tell us just how far apart these two worlds really are.