Drishyam 3 Review: Some film series earn their loyalty slowly. The first Drishyam was a modest hit in 2015. Its sequel in 2022 turned into a blockbuster. And now Drishyam: The Conclusion, released on October 2, 2026, has opened bigger than either of them and larger than anything Ajay Devgn has done before.
The question for most viewers is simple. Is the closing chapter of Vijay Salgaonkar’s story good enough to justify the hype? This review stays spoiler-free, looks at what critics and audiences are saying, and compares the Hindi film with Mohanlal’s Malayalam Drishyam 3, which arrived earlier this year.
The Setup, Without Spoilers
The Hindi franchise follows Vijay Salgaonkar, a cable operator in Goa who protects his family through sheer cunning. Anyone who has seen the earlier films knows the pleasure of watching an ordinary man stay one step ahead of the police. This third film continues that story as a tense cat-and-mouse contest, with a new investigator played by Jaideep Ahlawat trying to close in on Vijay.
Abhishek Pathak directs again, having taken over the franchise with the second film after original director Nishikant Kamat passed away. The screenplay is credited to Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh. The returning cast includes Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor and Ishita Dutta, with Prakash Raj and Mrunal Jadhav also in the ensemble.
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What Works
Ajay Devgn Holds It Together
If there is one point on which reviews agree, it is that Ajay Devgn remains the strongest part of this series. Vijay is a quiet, watchful character, and Devgn plays him with restraint rather than flash. Critics describe a performance that keeps the tension alive even in scenes where very little seems to be happening. That economy suits the franchise, which has always relied on the audience wondering what is going on behind a calm face.
A Satisfying Close to a Long Story
Reviewers writing for major outlets generally describe the film as a fitting finale, one that respects the legacy of the first two films while pushing the story in a new direction. Several mention the ending in particular, and some contrast it favorably with the climax of the Malayalam version. Without giving anything away, the broad impression is that the Hindi film lands its final act with confidence.
Tension Built on Intelligence
The Drishyam films work because they treat the audience as smart. The thrill is in the planning, the small details and the question of who knows what. According to early responses, The Conclusion keeps that approach. It is not a film that depends on explosive set pieces. It relies on conversation, observation and a slow build, which is exactly what fans of the series want.
Strong Supporting Performances
Tabu returns as the police officer whose history with the Salgaonkar family gives the story an emotional charge. Shriya Saran and the rest of the family unit continue to be the heart of the franchise. Reviews also point to the returning supporting cast as a plus, because familiarity with these characters adds weight to the tension.
What Does Not Work as Well
The New Cop Feels Underwritten
One of the more consistent criticisms concerns Jaideep Ahlawat’s character. He is a gifted actor, and the idea of pitting him against Vijay is exciting. But some reviewers say the role is not given enough depth or screen time to feel like a true match for the protagonist. In a franchise built on a duel of wits, a thinner opponent can leave the final contest feeling slightly lopsided.
Familiar Beats
By the third film, the series has established a certain rhythm, and a few reviewers note that parts of the story follow patterns viewers already know. That is not necessarily a flaw. Fans of the franchise may enjoy the callbacks. But for newcomers or for those who wanted a fresh structure, it may feel slightly predictable in places.
Pacing
Slow-burn thrillers always risk testing patience. The runtime and measured pace are likely to suit those who love the franchise’s style, but viewers expecting a faster, more action-oriented thriller may find certain stretches deliberate.
Overall, ratings from critics have been positive but not unanimous. One prominent outlet gave it three stars out of five, praising the lead performance while flagging the underwritten antagonist.
Hindi vs Malayalam: How Do They Compare
Mohanlal’s Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, was released in Malayalam on May 21, 2026, and became a major hit in its own right. The two versions share a source but are not identical, and that is what makes the comparison interesting.
- Tone. The Malayalam films are known for their patient, domestic realism. The Hindi versions tend to be a little more polished and star-driven, with a larger-scale feel.
- Performance. Mohanlal’s Georgekutty is rooted in a particular Kerala setting and carries a gentle, everyday quality. Devgn’s Vijay is more guarded and intense. Neither is better, but they are different interpretations.
- The ending. According to some reports, the Hindi climax has been received more warmly by audiences than the Malayalam one. That is a matter of taste, and viewers who prefer the original’s approach may disagree.
- Audience familiarity. If you have seen the Malayalam film, the plot may not surprise you in broad strokes, but the new choices in the Hindi version are worth noticing.
If you have not seen the Malayalam version, you can enjoy the Hindi film perfectly well on its own. If you have, expect an interesting contrast rather than a copy.
The Box Office Picture
The numbers are striking. According to industry trackers, Drishyam: The Conclusion earned a net of around ₹62 crore in India on its first day, the biggest opening of Ajay Devgn’s career, ahead of Singham Again, which opened at ₹43.5 crore. Over the opening weekend, trackers put the India net collection at roughly ₹176 crore, and by the first Monday the film had crossed ₹300 crore worldwide gross.
Some context helps. The film passed the lifetime India collection of the original Drishyam within two days. The second film finished its theatrical run at about ₹240 crore net. At this pace, the third film is tracking well ahead.
Figures vary slightly between trackers and are updated constantly, so treat them as approximate and check a current source before quoting them.
Who Should Watch It
Watch it if you have followed the series from the beginning, if you enjoy intelligent, dialogue-driven thrillers, or if you want to see Ajay Devgn in one of his most controlled performances.
Think twice if you expect fast action or if you have not seen the earlier films. Because this is explicitly the concluding chapter, it carries a lot of backstory, and the emotional payoff depends on knowing the characters.
A tip: If you have the time, rewatch the second film before going. It makes the third far more rewarding.
Final Verdict
Drishyam: The Conclusion appears to deliver what the franchise promised: a tense, intelligent finale anchored by a disciplined lead performance and a closing act that many viewers feel is satisfying. Its main weakness is a new antagonist who, according to several critics, deserved more depth. The audience response and record-setting opening suggest that, for most fans, that is a small price to pay.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Hindi franchise ends on a high, with a measured thriller that trusts its audience, a lead who barely needs to raise his voice and a box office run that has already rewritten Ajay Devgn’s record books. Whether you prefer Vijay or Georgekutty, this is a conclusion worth watching on the big screen, as long as you go in expecting a thinking person’s thriller rather than a loud one.
