Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has publicly commended Ajay Devgn and director Abhishek Pathak for Drishyam: The Conclusion, praising the creative team for bringing the iconic crime-thriller saga to a satisfy climax. The official praise comes as the Hindi franchise’s final installment approaches the ₹500 crore mark at the worldwide box office following its October 2, 2026 theatrical premiere.
“I have watched the film, and I am impressed by the way they have brought this much-loved journey to an end,” Mohanlal said in an official video statement shared on Monday, October 12, 2026. “Congratulations to Abhishek Pathak, Ajay Devgn, and the entire cast and crew… So well done.”
The Ultimate Validation: Georgekutty Approves Vijay Salgaonkar
Mohanlal’s endorsement marks a defining milestone for the Hindi adaptation. The veteran actor originated the character of Georgekutty in Jeethu Joseph’s seminal 2013 Malayalam thriller Drishyam. The story was adapted into Hindi in 2015 by late director Nishikant Kamat, starring Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar.
While the first two installments closely mirrored the Malayalam source material, Drishyam: The Conclusion departed from the original blueprint. Helmed by Abhishek Pathak and produced by Panorama Studios in association with Star Studio18, the team spent over two years crafting an original screenplay tailored specifically for the Hindi franchise.
Drishyam: The Conclusion
Responding to the Malayalam legend’s praise, production banner Panorama Studios posted on X:
“Thank you so much for your kind appreciation, Mohanlal Sir #Lalettan @mohanlal”
Strategic Narrative Deviation Sets Precedent in Indian Cinema
Unlike previous iterations that relied on cross-industry remakes, Drishyam 3 takes a distinct narrative trajectory. At a industry summit earlier this year, Ajay Devgn highlighted that the third installment was conceptualized as a completely independent script to provide a definitive end to Vijay Salgaonkar’s story.
The threequel introduces Jaideep Ahlawat as SP Rajveer Singh Tomar, a high-ranking Crime Branch official assigned to unseal the unresolved mystery. Prakash Raj joins the ensemble as a senior advocate, operating alongside returning cast members Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta, and Mrunal Jadhav.
Trade analysts attribute the film’s strong box office performance to its original narrative direction, which kept audiences guessing despite familiar franchise tropes.
Global Box Office Breakdown: 11-Day Performance
In 11 days of theatrical screening, Drishyam: The Conclusion has generated ₹489.74 crore gross worldwide.
- India Collections: The film earned a net domestic opening of ₹62.03 crore on October 2. It has amassed ₹378.24 crore gross (over ₹309 crore net) in the domestic market.
- Overseas Collections: International markets contributed ₹111.50 crore gross.
The film stands as the second-highest grossing Hindi release of 2026, cementing Ajay Devgn’s status as a box office anchor.
Future Implications for Franchise Cinema
Mohanlal’s praise validates the decision by Panorama Studios and writers Abhishek Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan, and Parveez Shaikh to diverge from the original Malayalam narrative path.
By developing an independent climax that received approval from the original creator, Drishyam: The Conclusion establishes a new model for cross-language film franchises in India—moving from straightforward remakes to standalone, expanded cinematic universes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What did Mohanlal say about Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3?
Mohanlal praised Drishyam: The Conclusion in an official video, stating he was truly impressed by how the team brought the journey to a “befitting end”.
Q2: Did the Hindi Drishyam 3 follow the same plot as the Malayalam version?
No, Drishyam: The Conclusion followed an original Hindi screenplay written by Abhishek Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan, and Parveez Shaikh instead of remaking the Malayalam third part.
Q3: How much has Drishyam: The Conclusion earned at the box office?
Drishyam: The Conclusion has grossed ₹489.74 crore worldwide within 11 days of its theatrical release on October 2, 2026.
Q4: Who directed and produced Drishyam: The Conclusion?
The film was directed by Abhishek Pathak and produced under the banner of Panorama Studios in association with Star Studio18.
Q5: Who plays the new antagonist in Drishyam 3?
Jaideep Ahlawat joined the franchise cast as SP Rajveer Singh Tomar, a Crime Branch officer investigating Vijay Salgaonkar.
Conclusion
The praise from Mohanlal signals an end to the long-standing debate over remake authenticity versus creative independence in Indian cinema. As Drishyam: The Conclusion passes the ₹500 crore milestone, its success confirms that cross-regional intellectual properties can successfully evolve beyond their original frameworks to deliver standalone cinematic finales.
Manish Kumar began his professional journey in digital marketing and performance marketing, and currently works as a Digital Marketing Excutive and SEO expert. With over 3 years of professional experience, he handles both strategy and execution. Currently, he manages digital marketing and performance marketing at ‘Shabd Sanchi’ (shabdsanchi.com).
