Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has praised Ajay Devgn's 'Drishyam: The Conclusion' after watching the Hindi thriller, commending the filmmakers for bringing the story to a satisfying close. His reaction is significant for the franchise, given his association with Georgekutty, the central character in the original Malayalam films. 

The Hindi instalment, directed by Abhishek Pathak, departs from the narrative of the Malayalam franchise to present a distinct conclusion. Released in theatres on October 2, 2026, the film has also recorded strong box office collections, reportedly earning more than Rs 479.80 crore worldwide.

Sharing a video message, Mohanlal congratulated the team and said he was impressed by the way the film concluded its story.

“I watched Drishyam: The Conclusion, and I am truly impressed with the way they have brought a much-loved journey to a befitting end. Congratulations to Abhishek Pathak, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Ajay Devgn and the entire cast and crew on a job so well done.”

Ajay Devgn says Hindi 'Drishyam 3' has an original storyline

The Hindi 'Drishyam' franchise began in 2015 as a remake of Jeethu Joseph's Malayalam thriller of the same name. While the first two Hindi films largely followed the Malayalam originals, the latest instalment introduces a separate storyline rather than continuing the plot of the third Malayalam film.

Speaking at FICCI Frames, Devgn explained that the Hindi version was developed as an independent story, with a different narrative direction and characters.

“The original one they did not have Akshay Khanna’s character as such, but 3 is a completely new script. They are two very different films. The way Abhishek and the writers have worked so hard on the script for the past maybe two years that it really, really gives you a high. The way it has shaped up the scripting and the way Abhishek has made the film, I think it has come out fabulous. That’s when we decided that it should be the conclusion.”

The Hindi film's decision to chart its own course has prompted comparisons between the two versions. Some viewers on social media have expressed a preference for the Hindi conclusion over the Malayalam film, which was released earlier in 2026.

'Drishyam: The Conclusion' crosses Rs 479 crore worldwide

The film's reported worldwide gross has exceeded Rs 479.80 crore, while its gross collections in India have crossed Rs 370.80 crore, according to available box office figures.

Devgn reprises his role as Vijay Salgaonkar, a family man who repeatedly uses his intelligence to stay ahead of the police. Tabu returns as Meera Deshmukh, while Shriya Saran plays Nandini.

The ensemble cast also features Rajat Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, Prakash Raj, Kamlesh Sawant, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav.

Jaideep Ahlawat adds a new challenge for Vijay Salgaonkar

Ahlawat plays SP Rajveer Singh Tomar, a police officer who presents a fresh obstacle for Vijay. The confrontations between the two characters have attracted attention from audiences, with several viewers praising Ahlawat's addition to the franchise.

Directed by Pathak and produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, 'Drishyam: The Conclusion' marks a new direction for the Hindi series while bringing Vijay Salgaonkar's story to an end.