Instead, director Abhishek Pathak and his writing team spent two and a half years developing an entirely original screenplay to bring Vijay Salgaonkar’s story to a definitive end. Because of this departure, Devgn expressed a strong desire to screen the film for Malayalam cinema titan Mohanlal and original franchise creator Jeethu Joseph, noting that earning their personal validation would mean the world to the Hindi team.
What Ajay Devgn Said at the Goa LaunchClarifying how Drishyam: The Conclusion differs from the earlier remakes, Devgn reflected on the narrative divergence:“In fact, I would say that making this film has been a big challenge for us because, with Mohanlal sir and Joseph, this is their third film. The second one was also, in a way, inspired by the original. But this time, the script is completely different. All three of their films are different, and our film has also taken a completely different route. It’s not that we’ve just made a few changes; the story is entirely different.”
“So, I want Mohanlal sir and Joseph to see the film because I would also like their approval, you know, that they love it. That would make me very happy.”
Confirming the Final Chapter: "Leave It at the Top"
Unlike the Malayalam franchise—where producers have hinted at keeping the door open for future installments—Devgn confirmed that Drishyam: The Conclusion will be the final installment of the Hindi saga:
Closing the Book: When asked if a Drishyam 4 could materialize in Bollywood, Devgn ruled it out:
“We all thought that this movie should be the conclusion. I don’t think we should even attempt to go beyond this point because, as with everything, it’s best if you leave it at the top.”
The Complexity of Writing Part 3: Devgn admitted the team hesitated after 2022's Drishyam 2 because sustaining suspense in an airtight narrative was nearly impossible:
“It’s not a film where you work out a script and say, ‘Let’s make a sequel.’ It has to have the twists and turns, starting the story from where it ended, and making it so intriguing... I think it’s nearly impossible. Abhishek cracked it after two and a half years of writing.”
Tabu on Remake Anxiety vs. Franchise Identity
Co-star Tabu, who returns as Meera Deshmukh, recalled the immense pressure the team felt during the release of the second installment in late 2022:
The Pandemic Precedent: “When the second part was about to release right after the pandemic, the Malayalam version had already come out on OTT. Some of my friends told me, ‘Who will watch your movie now that this has released?’ I was really worried... But now you know how successful the second part became.”
Two Distinct Universes: Tabu noted that audiences no longer treat the Hindi franchise as a substitute remake: “Now when people ask me whether they should watch the Malayalam version, I say ‘Go watch it’ because our film is completely different.”
Trade Verdict:
Screening Drishyam: The Conclusion for Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph is both a gesture of professional respect and a smart positioning move. By openly acknowledging that the Hindi team has charted its own course with fresh characters like Jaideep Ahlawat’s SP Tomar and Prakash Raj’s defense counsel, Devgn has effectively decoupled Drishyam 3 from comparison fatigue, presenting it as an independent theatrical spectacle for October 2.
