Ajay Devgn’s “Drishyam 3” will reportedly not closely follow the recently released Malayalam version. The Hindi adaptation has undergone major plot and twist changes to suit Bollywood audiences, while Ravi Basrur of “KGF” and “Salaar” fame has joined the project as music composer. The film releases on October 2, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The Hindi version of “Drishyam 3” reportedly changes major twists from the Malayalam original.
- Director Abhishek Pathak says the Hindi film leans more toward a “family thriller.”
- Ravi Basrur has joined the project as music composer.
- Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj are among the new additions to the cast.
- “Drishyam 3” releases theatrically on October 2, 2026.
Bollywood Rarely Changes a Winning Formula — Which Is Why This ‘Drishyam 3’ Update Feels So Interesting
For years, the Hindi “Drishyam” films survived on one very simple advantage:
they stayed remarkably faithful to the Malayalam originals.
That familiarity worked.
Audiences already knew they were stepping into a tightly written thriller universe built around family, deception and psychological tension. Ajay Devgn’s Hindi adaptations succeeded not because they reinvented Mohanlal’s films, but because they carefully recreated their emotional and suspense-driven structure for a larger Hindi-speaking audience.
That is exactly why the latest “Drishyam 3” update feels unexpectedly bold.
According to trade sources, the upcoming Hindi version will reportedly not mirror the Malayalam film closely this time. Instead, the makers have drastically altered the plot, twists and narrative treatment while still preserving the emotional core of the franchise.
And honestly, that may be the smartest move possible.
What’s Changing in Ajay Devgn’s ‘Drishyam 3’?
The Malayalam version of “Drishyam 3” released on May 21, 2026, and naturally, audiences immediately began wondering whether the Hindi remake would follow the same story beat-by-beat.
Apparently, it will not.
A trade source revealed that while “Drishyam” and “Drishyam 2” in Hindi largely stayed close to the original films, “Drishyam 3” will be an exception. The source claimed the Hindi adaptation introduces major changes to the narrative, particularly involving its twists and dramatic turns.
Importantly, the makers are reportedly ensuring that the soul of the franchise remains intact.
That distinction matters because “Drishyam” has never been just about mystery. At its heart, the franchise works because it constantly places family emotions against moral compromise and survival instincts.
Changing the twists while retaining that emotional tension could help the Hindi version feel fresh rather than predictable.
One Detail Fans Noticed Immediately: The Hindi Version Is Being Positioned More Like a Thriller
Director Abhishek Pathak recently hinted at this tonal shift himself.
According to Pathak, the Malayalam version functions more as an emotional family drama, while the Hindi adaptation is being designed as a “family thriller.”
That wording alone reveals a lot.
It suggests the Hindi film may lean harder into suspense, pacing, cinematic scale and high-stakes tension instead of emotional stillness. That shift also aligns perfectly with evolving Bollywood audience behaviour.
Today’s theatrical audiences are increasingly drawn toward sharper, faster-paced thrillers capable of generating big-screen tension. Slow-burn emotional storytelling still works on OTT platforms, but theatrical crime thrillers now require stronger hooks and more aggressive pacing to create event-level excitement.
This could explain why the makers reportedly chose to diverge from the Malayalam version.
Ravi Basrur Joining the Franchise Could Completely Change the Film’s Mood
Another fascinating development is the addition of Ravi Basrur as music composer.
For audiences unfamiliar with the name, Basrur is the composer behind films like “KGF,” “Salaar,” “Marco” and the upcoming “Toxic.” His sound design style is often intense, atmospheric and emotionally heavy — very different from the quieter musical identity associated with previous “Drishyam” films.
That change could significantly alter the franchise’s energy.
In many ways, this feels like the clearest indication yet that the Hindi version is aiming for a more cinematic thriller experience rather than a restrained family mystery drama.
Ajay Devgn has already worked with Basrur on “Bholaa” and “Singham Again,” so there is already an established creative understanding between them. Industry insiders believe Basrur’s background score could become one of the film’s biggest strengths, particularly during tense investigative sequences.
One hidden detail many people may overlook is that all three Hindi “Drishyam” films have featured different music composers.
- Vishal Bhardwaj handled the music for “Drishyam” (2015)
- Devi Sri Prasad composed for “Drishyam 2”
- Ravi Basrur now takes over for “Drishyam 3”
That evolving musical identity quietly reflects how the franchise itself has kept adapting tonally over time.
Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj Could Intensify the Franchise Further
The addition of Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj has also generated considerable curiosity among fans.
Jaideep, especially, has built a reputation for bringing psychological intensity to morally layered characters. His presence alone changes audience expectations because viewers now anticipate sharper confrontations, more emotional volatility and stronger dramatic tension.
Prakash Raj, meanwhile, naturally brings authority and unpredictability whenever he enters investigative or politically charged narratives.
Combined with Ajay Devgn and Tabu returning to the franchise, the casting suddenly makes “Drishyam 3” feel larger and more psychologically charged than previous instalments.
And that could be intentional.
Why This Matters for Bollywood Thrillers
The bigger issue here goes beyond “Drishyam 3” itself.
Bollywood thrillers are currently facing a strange challenge:
audiences have become too familiar with remake culture.
Over the past few years, many Hindi remakes have struggled because viewers already knew major twists before entering theatres. Social media, OTT accessibility and pan-India viewing habits have made surprise much harder to preserve.
That reality likely forced the “Drishyam 3” team into a difficult decision.
If the Hindi version copied the Malayalam film exactly, audiences would probably compare every scene online before release. The suspense factor — arguably the franchise’s biggest strength — would weaken significantly.
By changing the narrative, the makers may have solved that problem entirely.
And from a business perspective, that is a very smart strategy.
Fan Psychology Is Playing a Huge Role Here
One reason “Drishyam” continues resonating so strongly is because audiences emotionally connect with Vijay Salgaonkar’s desperation.
Unlike larger-than-life action heroes, Vijay feels frighteningly ordinary.
Viewers imagine themselves in his position:
protecting family,
hiding fear,
outsmarting systems,
surviving consequences.
That emotional relatability became the franchise’s superpower.
But after two films, audiences also began expecting a familiar formula. By reportedly changing the twists this time, the makers may be trying to recreate uncertainty for audiences who think they already understand the “Drishyam” universe.
And uncertainty creates excitement.
What This Could Mean Next
If “Drishyam 3” succeeds with its altered narrative approach, it could influence how Bollywood handles remakes moving forward.
Instead of scene-by-scene recreations, studios may begin using original films only as emotional blueprints while redesigning narratives for different regional audiences.
That model would make remakes feel less redundant and potentially restore audience curiosity around adaptation-based franchises.
For now, though, all eyes remain on whether the makers can successfully balance innovation with familiarity.
Because changing a beloved thriller formula is always risky.
But sometimes, that risk is exactly what keeps a franchise alive.
Jay-Ho Insider
“Drishyam 3” was already one of Bollywood’s most anticipated thrillers.
But the decision to reportedly move away from the Malayalam blueprint has suddenly made the film far more intriguing.
Between Ravi Basrur’s intense musical style, new cast additions like Jaideep Ahlawat, and the promise of fresh twists, the franchise now appears to be evolving into something bigger than a straightforward remake series.
The real question is no longer whether audiences will watch “Drishyam 3.”
It’s whether the film can surprise audiences who believe they already know every move Vijay Salgaonkar is about to make.
FAQs
Is Ajay Devgn’s “Drishyam 3” different from the Malayalam version?
Yes, reports suggest the Hindi version has significantly altered several plot points and twists while retaining the emotional core of the story.
When is “Drishyam 3” releasing?
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026.
Who is composing the music for “Drishyam 3”?
Ravi Basrur, known for “KGF,” “Salaar,” and “Toxic,” has composed the music for the film.
Why did the makers reportedly change the Hindi version’s story?
The changes were reportedly made to preserve suspense for Hindi audiences and make the film feel fresher rather than predictable.
Who are the new cast additions in “Drishyam 3”?
Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj have joined the cast alongside Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Shriya Saran.
