Drishyam 4: Abhishek Pathak Rules Out Another Hindi Instalment, Says ‘There’s No Possibility’ Of Revisiting The Franchise
Drishyam: The Conclusion is set to bring the Hindi Drishyam franchise to its intended endpoint, with director Abhishek Pathak making it clear that he does not see a fourth instalment continuing the story of Ajay Devgn's Vijay Salgaonkar.
In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, Pathak addressed the possibility of Drishyam 4 and explained why the upcoming third film has been designed as the conclusion of the Hindi franchise. The filmmaker's comments come at a time when the Malayalam Drishyam universe is moving in a different direction, making the distinction between the two versions particularly important.
Drishyam: The Conclusion Is Designed As A Full Stop
The upcoming film was initially known as Drishyam 3 before being retitled Drishyam: The Conclusion. The change in title itself was intended to communicate that the Hindi story is reaching its endpoint rather than setting up another sequel.
Pathak has previously explained that calling the film Drishyam 3 could naturally lead audiences to expect another chapter. By using The Conclusion, the makers wanted to establish that the third film is intended to resolve Vijay Salgaonkar's journey.
The director has now reiterated that approach while speaking to Variety India, making it clear that there is currently no story he wants to pursue beyond the upcoming film.
Why There Is No Drishyam 4 In The Hindi Franchise
The biggest question surrounding the third instalment has been whether the makers could eventually return with another chapter, particularly given the enduring popularity of the franchise.
Pathak's answer is straightforward: the story being told in Drishyam: The Conclusion has been constructed with closure in mind.
The filmmaker has indicated that he does not want to extend the Hindi franchise simply because another instalment could commercially be possible. His focus has instead been on ensuring that the third film provides a proper resolution to the characters and the storyline that audiences have followed since 2015.
The comments are particularly significant because Drishyam is one of the rare Hindi franchises where audiences have remained deeply invested in the central mystery and Vijay Salgaonkar's ability to protect his family.
A Completely New Direction For Drishyam 3
Unlike the first two Hindi films, the third instalment is not simply following the Malayalam storyline.
Pathak has described the new film as a different story, with the Hindi franchise moving into its own narrative territory after the events of Drishyam 2. Variety's interview notes that the Hindi film diverges from the Malayalam Drishyam 3, rather than directly adapting that film's story.
That gives the Hindi version greater freedom to create its own conclusion for Vijay Salgaonkar.
The challenge, however, has been considerably greater this time around. The first Drishyam introduced audiences to Vijay's extraordinary ability to construct an elaborate alibi, while Drishyam 2 expanded that world and built on the consequences of the original story.
With the audience now familiar with the franchise's storytelling mechanics, the third film has to find another way to surprise viewers.
Two Years Went Into The Screenplay
Pathak has revealed that the screenplay process for the third film took approximately two years.
Following the release of Drishyam 2 in 2022, the filmmaker spent considerable time developing the next chapter. Part of that process involved looking at the theories and possibilities that fans had been discussing online.
That fan engagement became an important part of the writing process because the audience has become increasingly familiar with the franchise's style of storytelling.
The filmmaker has acknowledged that viewers now arrive with their own theories about what Vijay could do next, meaning the screenplay has to stay ahead of those expectations.
The central challenge was therefore not simply creating another mystery, but finding a story capable of surprising an audience that has already spent years analysing Vijay Salgaonkar's every move.
Ajay Devgn Returns As Vijay Salgaonkar
Ajay Devgn is once again leading the franchise as Vijay Salgaonkar, with several key members of the previous films returning alongside him.
The returning cast includes Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav and Kamlesh Sawant.
The third film also introduces new faces to the franchise, including Jaideep Ahlawat, Prakash Raj and Saurabh Shukla.
Their presence adds another layer to a story that has traditionally revolved around the battle between Vijay's carefully constructed plans and the efforts of the authorities to uncover the truth.
The Malayalam Franchise Is Taking A Different Route
The decision to end the Hindi franchise should not be confused with the future of the wider Drishyam universe.
The Malayalam franchise, led by Mohanlal as Georgekutty, is following its own path. Producer Antony Perumbavoor has previously confirmed plans for another Malayalam instalment following the success of Drishyam 3.
This means audiences could potentially see the Malayalam and Hindi versions continue on completely separate narrative tracks.
The Hindi franchise, meanwhile, is choosing to close Vijay Salgaonkar's story with Drishyam: The Conclusion.
Why The Title Drishyam: The Conclusion Matters
The title is more than a simple rebranding.
For Pathak, it establishes the intention behind the film. The filmmaker has explained that the earlier title Drishyam 3 could leave audiences expecting a fourth film, whereas The Conclusion makes the creative intention clear.
Recent interviews have similarly highlighted that the title change was designed to remove speculation about another Hindi sequel and signal that the third film brings the story to its endpoint.
That makes the upcoming film particularly important for the franchise because the makers are not merely trying to deliver another chapter — they are attempting to close a story that has remained one of Hindi cinema's most closely followed thriller franchises.
What Can Audiences Expect From Drishyam: The Conclusion?
While the makers are keeping the major plot details under wraps, Pathak's comments suggest that the third film will focus heavily on delivering resolution rather than leaving the door open for another sequel.
The screenplay has been developed over an extended period, with the filmmaker conscious of the audience's familiarity with the characters and their ability to anticipate potential twists.
The film therefore arrives with two expectations working simultaneously: it has to deliver the suspense associated with Drishyam, while also providing a satisfying conclusion to Vijay Salgaonkar's journey.
And according to Pathak, that journey ends here.
Drishyam 4 Is Not Part Of The Plan
For fans wondering whether Ajay Devgn could eventually return as Vijay Salgaonkar in a fourth Hindi film, Pathak's latest comments provide the clearest indication yet of the makers' current position.
Drishyam: The Conclusion is being treated as the final chapter of the Hindi franchise, with no fourth instalment planned at this stage.
The Malayalam franchise may continue separately, but the Hindi version is taking a different route — one that ends with the third film.
Now, all eyes are on Drishyam: The Conclusion and whether Pathak can deliver the kind of ending that justifies giving Vijay Salgaonkar's story a definitive full stop.
Drishyam: The Conclusion releases in theatres on October 2, 2026.
