Drishyam 3 Review: Vijay Salgaonkar Outsmarts Us One Last Time

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Let's be honest: going to the cinema has become a careful decision. With so much to watch on OTT at home, a Bollywood film has to earn our time, our money and the drive to the theatre. Too many big releases haven't. So when a franchise we love announces its final chapter, the stakes feel personal. Drishyam: The Conclusion earns its place on the big screen.

Why Drishyam matters to us

Few thrillers have captured audiences the way Drishyam has. What began as Jeethu Joseph's Malayalam masterpiece with Mohanlal became one of Indian cinema's most loved stories, and Ajay Devgn made Vijay Salgaonkar a household name in Hindi. Its magic has never been action or spectacle. It's an ordinary family man with an extraordinary mind, and characters so well written that every move feels real.

For us, the first film remains the best, in both Malayalam and Hindi. The second was a worthy follow-up too.

We walked in with low expectations

We had already watched the Malayalam Drishyam 3, which released in May 2026, on OTT with subtitles. Honestly, it didn't live up to the first two films for us. Since the first two Hindi films were faithful remakes, we assumed this one would be too, and went in expecting a familiar and slightly disappointing ride.

We were wrong, and happily so.

The makers outsmarted the audience

This is the real twist. Drishyam 3 in Hindi is not a remake. Director Abhishek Pathak and his writers have built an entirely separate story with its own path and its own ending. Ajay Devgn had said the Hindi film would be completely different from the Malayalam version, and he meant it.

That's what makes this film so satisfying. The whole franchise is about a man who stays one step ahead of everyone. This time even the filmmakers stayed a step ahead of the audience: just when fans thought they knew what was coming, the makers delivered something new. Being outsmarted by clever characters is the joy of Drishyam, and here the film itself outsmarts you. If you've seen the Malayalam version, don't skip this one. It's a fresh experience.

Performances that hold it all together

Ajay Devgn is Vijay Salgaonkar, plain and simple. Quiet, controlled and impossible to read, he slips back into the role as if he never left. Three films in, it still doesn't feel like acting.

Jaideep Ahlawat is the masterstroke. As the new Crime Branch officer on Vijay's trail, he brings a calm, cold intensity that makes him a genuinely worthy opponent. The face-offs between him and Devgn are the highlight. You can feel two sharp minds circling each other, and for once you aren't sure Vijay will win.

Tabu, Shriya Saran and Prakash Raj add strong support and keep the familiar world of the franchise intact.

Poster: Star Studio18 / Panorama Studios (official Instagram)

A few slow moments

It isn't perfect. With a runtime of about two and a half hours, some stretches, especially early on, move slowly as the story sets its pieces in place. Stay patient. Every detail matters, and the payoff is worth the wait.

Audiences agree

Cinema-goers are clearly turning up. Released on 2 October, the film has already crossed ₹100 crore net in India in just two days, recording one of the biggest Hindi openings of the year. When people are this choosy about what they watch in theatres, that says a lot.

Our verdict

Drishyam 3 is smart, gripping and very well acted. It surprises you when you least expect it, which is exactly what this franchise should do. A few slow patches keep it from full marks, but it's a fitting send-off for Vijay Salgaonkar.

Worth every minute of your time. Go for it! 🎬

Read also: Hanuman Ansh Review: A Small Film With a Very Big Heart

Sources: Wikipedia, OutlookIndia, DailyJagran, TheWeek, ETV Bharat