Mohanlal’s Drishyam 3 shaping up to be one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest releases of 2026: Here's why

Mohanlal’s highly anticipated crime thriller Drishyam 3 has registered a strong start at the box office even before its theatrical release, crossing ₹4 crore in worldwide advance bookings, according to trade updates shared online.

The Malayalam film, directed by Jeethu Joseph, has also crossed ₹1 crore in opening day pre-sales in Kerala despite limited screenings, signalling massive audience interest in the third chapter of the blockbuster franchise.

The strong early response has further intensified excitement around the return of Georgekutty, one of Indian cinema’s most popular thriller characters.

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Kerala pre-sales surge as franchise hype grows

Film industry tracker AB George shared the latest booking figures on X, stating that Drishyam 3 had recorded an “excellent start” in pre-sales.

“#Drishyam3 opening day Kerala presales crossed ₹1cr with limited shows. Worldwide advance stands above ₹4cr,” the post read. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on May 21, 2026.

The Drishyam franchise has built a massive following over the years, with both earlier films receiving critical acclaim and strong commercial success across multiple languages.

The third instalment is expected to continue Georgekutty’s story following the dramatic events of the previous films.

Jeethu Joseph teases a new mystery around Georgekutty

Speaking during the trailer launch event in Kochi, director Jeethu Joseph hinted that Drishyam 3 would introduce a different kind of threat for Georgekutty.

According to the filmmaker, the tension in the upcoming film comes from uncertainty rather than direct confrontation.

“The difference between the first and second parts and the third one is that Georgekutty doesn’t know whether someone is behind him, and if so, who it is,” Jeethu Joseph said during the event.

“In the first two parts, he knew that the police and the dead boy’s family were after him. But in this one, he doesn’t know who it is,” he added. The filmmaker also suggested that the film would contain several unexpected twists similar to the earlier instalments.

Mohanlal hints Drishyam universe may continue

Mohanlal also generated debates among his fans regarding the possibility of the franchise ending at its third installment. While addressing his fans during the trailer launch, he stated that fans will have to determine whether the story of Georgekutty deserves more sequels.

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“Let people watch the film and let them decide whether we should do a sequel, like four or five,” Mohanlal said. The film stars Mohanlal along with Meena, Ansiba Hassan and Esther Anil who play the role of Georgekutty’s family members.

Other notable names that star in the film include Siddique, Asha Sharath, and Murali Gopy. With high advance bookings, positive feedback from the trailer and rising interest in the storyline, Drishyam 3 is expected to be one of the most popular Malayalam films of 2026.