‘Drishyam 3’: Jeethu Joseph confirms same plot for Malayalam and Hindi versions; eyes simultaneous release date

On Saturday, Aashirvad Cinemas gave a much-needed update about the Drishyam franchise—that cameras will roll for Drishyam 3 this October. The news was celebrated among fans of the Mohanlal-starrer. Still, it also generated a fair amount of confusion about its Hindi remake, raising doubts about whether the two versions will follow the same plot.

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However, Jeethu Joseph, writer and director of the trilogy, has provided some clarity on the matter. In a conversation with Times of India, the filmmaker said that the script is near completion and squashed rumours that the Ajay Devgn-starrer will carry a different storyline. “There have been reports that the Hindi version will have a different story, but that's not true. The Hindi film will also be based on my story. Once I complete my script, it will be shared with the Hindi team, who will then adapt it to suit their setting and make suitable cultural changes," he said.

When asked if both the films would be shot simultaneously, Joseph explained that the schedules of both stars may not align. "That's not something we can confirm now. The dates of the lead actors may not work out that way."

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While the films may not be shot together, Joseph disclosed that there is an ambitious plan to release, not just the Malayalam and Hindi, but the Telugu version of the crime-thriller as well, at the same time. "There was a request from their side for a simultaneous release. So, we have been discussing the prospect of releasing the films simultaneously... In this OTT age, they feel that releasing on different dates might reduce the film's impact in the other languages."

While Drishyam (2013) follows Mohanlal’s Georgekutty covering up an accidental death caused by self-defence by his family, the second film, which debuted on OTT platforms in 2021, puts Georgekutty in more heat as an eye-witness emerges. The plot for the third instalment is kept tightly under wraps.

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