Ajay Devgn. Photo: Facebook
Drishyam : The Conclusion, the third and final chapter of the Hindi Drishyam franchise, was released in theatres on October 2, 2026. Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the film stars Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Jaideep Ahlawat, and delivers an original story that concludes the eleven-year-old saga.
Unlike the previous two instalments, Drishyam 3 is not a remake of a Malayalam original. It features a fresh Hindi script developed independently to give the Bollywood franchise a definitive finale, a decision that has been widely praised by critics and audiences.
A New Investigation, A Darker Vijay
The film picks up after the events of Drishyam 2. Meera Deshmukh (Tabu) and Mahesh Deshmukh (Rajat Kapoor) decide to reopen the murder case of their son, Sam. They are aided by Crime Branch SP Rajveer Singh Tomar (Jaideep Ahlawat), who brings a new level of threat to Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn) and his family.
Director Abhishek Pathak told Variety that the third instalment tells an entirely new story unconnected to the Malayalam original, describing it as the character’s darkest chapter yet. ‘It’s completely different. It’s a new story. It’s nothing to do with Malayalam,’ Pathak said.
Pathak also explained that the title signals a definitive ending rather than a setup for a fourth film. ‘This is where I’m ending the film beautifully, where all the resolution comes to an end eventually,’ he said. The screenplay took about two years to complete, a process Pathak began after Drishyam 2 opened in 2022.
Performances That Carry the Film
Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar with a performance that has been described as more nuanced and richer than in Drishyam 2. Devgn relies heavily on his eyes and his ability to make Vijay seem ordinary even as he calculates his next move, with his silence and expressions often saying more than words could.
Jaideep Ahlawat joins the cast as the new investigating officer, Rajveer Tomar. His performance has been singled out as one of the film’s strongest elements. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called Ahlawat ‘terrific’ and said his performance is ‘controlled yet commanding.’
Tabu returns as Meera Deshmukh, a character spiralling out of control as she grapples with her grief. While some critics felt she had less material to work with than expected given the history between Meera and Vijay, her performance remains a key emotional anchor of the film.
Shriya Saran as Nandini Salgaonkar gets her most significant role in the final film, with her character bringing one of the drama’s biggest twists. Prakash Raj, Rajat Kapoor, and Kamlesh Sawant also reprise their roles, with Sawant’s Gaitonde providing some of the film’s best lines.
Critical Reception
Early reviews of Drishyam: The Conclusion have been largely positive, with particular praise for its writing, performances, and climax. Taran Adarsh gave the film 4.5 stars and called it the ‘BEST FILM’ in the franchise.
Adarsh wrote on X: ‘#DrishyamTheConclusion: OUTSTANDING. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ Lives up to the mammoth expectations… This is, without doubt, the BEST FILM in the #Drishyam franchise and also among the BEST FILMS of 2026… SURE-SHOT BLOCKBUSTER.’
He also praised the face-off between Ajay Devgn and Jaideep Ahlawat as one of the biggest highlights of the first half. ‘The biggest high point is the #AjayDevgn – #JaideepAhlawat face-off in the first half… Simply MARVELLOUS… Deserves a standing ovation!’
Of the climax, Adarsh wrote: ‘Now, to the all-important climax – Does it deliver?… Does it culminate convincingly?… Does it leave you satisfied?… YES, YES, YES… The finale is powerful, gripping, and thoroughly fulfilling.’
DNA India gave the film 4 stars and noted that it ‘beats Mohanlal’s threequel’ and ‘cracks best thriller of 2026.’ The review stated that ‘the writing is the biggest hero of the film.’
The Times of India gave the film 3.5 stars and noted that ‘Drishyam 3 may not reinvent the game, but it knows exactly how to keep you playing.’ The review praised the film’s original Hindi script and its ability to keep the audience invested.
Outlook India offered a more measured take, noting that while the film delivers twists, it ‘struggles to match earlier films’ and that ‘some developments arrive because the screenplay needs them to rather than because the characters have logically earned them.’
Audience Reactions
Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with the film’s climax emerging as a major talking point. Several viewers took to X to praise the suspense, twists, and performances.
One X user wrote, ‘The CLIMAX TWIST of Drishyam 3 is BETTER than Drishyam 1 and 2. The Setup and Tense Moments are better than both the movies combined. Watch it to Believe it.’
Another viewer posted, ‘Drishyam 3 INTERVAL IS PEAK CINEMA. Revisit Part-1 and Part-2 to get all the REFERENCES AND PLOT TWISTS PROPERLY!!’
A third user wrote, ‘Slow burn first half, but the climax will absolute GOOSEBUMPS! ❤️❤️❤️’
One viewer described the film as ‘tense’ and ‘gripping’ and praised the performances of Devgn and Ahlawat. Another wrote, ‘Akshaye… But leaving #Drishyam3 for whatever reasons is perhaps the BIGGEST MISTAKE. Jaideep Ahlawat nailed it, though.’
Box Office Performance
Drishyam: The Conclusion has opened strongly at the box office. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film collected Rs 2.85 crore net in India from 1,210 shows, recording an occupancy of 32% in early shows. The film’s India gross collection currently stands at Rs 3.36 crore.
The film had built significant momentum before its theatrical release, with advance bookings showing strong demand. Across seven days open for booking, it registered Rs 60.17 crore gross in India, including blocked seats. Excluding blocked seats, the advance gross stands at Rs 49.29 crore. The film sold around 18.02 lakh tickets across 51,570 shows.
Trade analysts have projected a Day 1 collection of Rs 45 crore to Rs 55 crore, with the final figure expected to depend heavily on the film’s performance across markets such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, as well as single-screen theatres.
By 6 PM on its opening day, the film had collected Rs 46.35 crore net in India, according to early box office figures. Trade analyst Sumit Kadel has estimated that the film could cross Rs 150 crore during its first weekend if the theatrical momentum continues beyond the holiday opening.
Looking Back at the Franchise
The Drishyam franchise began with the 2013 Malayalam film starring Mohanlal, which was later remade in Hindi in 2015 with Ajay Devgn. The Hindi Drishyam 2 was released in 2022 and was also a major commercial success. Drishyam: The Conclusion marks the third and final instalment of the Hindi franchise.
The Malayalam Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, was released earlier in 2026 and grossed INR 239 crore ($25 million) globally. The Hindi version, however, takes a completely different narrative route, with an original script that gives the Bollywood franchise its own distinct conclusion.
Director Abhishek Pathak also addressed the exit of Akshaye Khanna, who played a key role in Drishyam 2 but did not return for the third instalment. Pathak said he sought rules to prevent late exits from productions, calling the situation ‘problematic.’ Jaideep Ahlawat was brought in as his replacement, a casting decision that has been widely praised.
Drishyam: The Conclusion is currently running in theatres across India. The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes and carries a U/A certificate.
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