Anticipation is mounting among cinema lovers as one of Bollywood's most successful suspense thriller franchises prepares to bring its next chapter to the big screen. Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the upcoming installment is scheduled to arrive in theatres on October 2, 2026, coinciding with the national holiday of Gandhi Jayanti. The narrative will resume immediately from where the second installment left off, continuing the tense journey of Vijay Salgaonkar. While Akshaye Khanna will be missing from the ensemble this time around, the cast has expanded with the additions of Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj. Ahead of the theatrical debut, details regarding the remuneration of the star cast have surfaced.
Ajay Devgn Adjusts Compensation for the Third Installment
Reprising his central character as Vijay Salgaonkar, Ajay Devgn leads the franchise once again in Drishyam 3: The Conclusion. For this upcoming sequel, the lead actor is charging a fee between Rs 18 crore and Rs 22 crore. This figure marks a noticeable decrease from the previous installment, Drishyam 2, where he was compensated with approximately Rs 30 crore. The actor has been actively promoting the project across various high-profile platforms, including television appearances on shows such as Bigg Boss, building momentum ahead of the holiday release.
Remuneration for Tabu and Shriya Saran
Tabu returns to portray her formidable character Meera Deshmukh, remaining a key counterweight in the unfolding cat-and-mouse dynamic. However, the reported figures highlight a substantial pay disparity, as her compensation stands roughly seven times lower than that of the lead actor. She has reportedly been paid between Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 3.5 crore for her work in the film. Meanwhile, Shriya Saran, who portrays Salgaonkar's wife Nandini, has secured an estimated fee of Rs 1 crore. It remains noted that these salary figures have not been officially confirmed by the production team.
Supporting Cast Salaries and Crucial Additions
Among the supporting cast, Ishita Dutta, who plays the pivotal role of the elder daughter Anju in the Salgaonkar household, has reportedly received up to Rs 50 lakh for her participation. Rajat Kapoor, returning in the role of Meera's husband Mahesh Deshmukh, is charging between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 70 lakh. Exact monetary details regarding the salaries of newcomers Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj have not yet been disclosed. Ahlawat has been cast in a prominent role designed to create fresh complications and serious hurdles for Devgn's character throughout the film.
Theatrical Timing and Box Office Projections
The scheduling of the release on October 2, 2026, positions the film strategically to capitalize on an extended holiday period without facing competition from any competing major theatrical releases. Driven by high audience excitement, trade expectations suggest that the sequel could register an opening day collection reaching up to Rs 50 crore. Should the film achieve this benchmark, it would mark the biggest box office opening in Ajay Devgn's acting career to date.
