Renowned filmmaker Jeethu Joseph, the writer-director of the original Drishyam (2013) and its 2021 sequel, has issued a stern warning to the team behind Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3. Joseph revealed that he will pursue legal action if the Hindi production commences before the Malayalam version goes on floors.
Joseph explained that initial proposals had floated the idea of launching both the Malayalam and Hindi sequels simultaneously—potentially even starting with the Hindi shoot. “There were demands to make the Malayalam and Hindi versions together, but we haven’t decided on those matters,” he said. “When it was hinted that we would address this legally, those plans were shelved.”
The Malayalam sequel, penned by Joseph himself, is slated to begin filming in October this year, marking a continuation of the cat-and-mouse thriller that made Mohanlal a national sensation. The original Drishyam was the first Malayalam film to cross ₹50 crore at the box office and went on to gross over ₹75 crore worldwide. Its 2021 sequel outperformed even that record, cementing the franchise’s status as a pan-India phenomenon.
Meanwhile, the Hindi adaptation of Drishyam 3, directed by Abhishek Pathak and produced by Kumar Mangat, is tentatively scheduled for an October 2, 2026 release. Devgn reprises his role as Vijay Salgaonkar, facing fresh challenges that test his wit and resourcefulness.
Jeethu Joseph’s intervention underscores his determination to protect the creative integrity of his screenplay and ensure the Malayalam sequel retains its rightful place as the franchise’s next chapter. Fans of both versions now await confirmation that the productions will proceed in the proper order—and without any courtroom drama.
