When discussing the most successful suspense thriller franchises in the history of Indian cinema, the Drishyam series stands in a league of its own. Originating as a modest Malayalam feature film, the story grew into a nationwide and international phenomenon, defining the thriller genre across multiple languages. The franchise played a pivotal role in the careers of both South Indian superstar Mohanlal and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn. What sets Drishyam apart from conventional crime thrillers is its complete lack of forced action sequences, overt violence, abusive language, or traditional villains. Instead, it relies purely on a gripping narrative centered on a father's unconditional devotion to protecting his family through pure intellect.
The Historic Malayalam Beginning and the ₹50 Crore Benchmark
The saga began in 2013 when director Jeethu Joseph crafted the original crime thriller Drishyam. The plot revolves around Georgekutty, portrayed by Mohanlal, an uneducated orphan who studied only up to the fourth class and operates a local cable television business. Georgekutty lives a peaceful life with his wife Rani and their two daughters. Having grown up without a family, he treasures his home above all else. The tranquil existence is shattered when a spoiled young man begins blackmailing his elder daughter, setting off an unexpected chain of events that forces Georgekutty to construct a brilliant psychological cover-up to defend his family against a relentless police force.
Alongside Mohanlal, the original cast featured notable performances by Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Kalabhavan Shajohn, Asha Sharath, Siddique, and Roshan Basheer. Drishyam made history by becoming the first Malayalam film ever to cross the ₹50 crore mark at the box office. It enjoyed an extraordinary theatrical run of over 150 days in India and spent 125 days in cinemas across the UAE.
Sequel Success on OTT and a ₹238 Crore Box Office Returns
Building on the massive acclaim of the original, the story was expanded into a sequel. Released in 2021 directly on Amazon Prime Video due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the second chapter was met with widespread critical and audience appreciation for its tight writing. Following the digital triumph, Mohanlal returned to the big screen in 2026 with Drishyam 3. The third installment dominated the box office, generating an impressive ₹238 crore worldwide collection and cementing the franchise's enduring popular appeal.
The Bollywood Adaptation Led by Ajay Devgn and Nishikant Kamat
Recognizing the universal appeal of the story, a Hindi adaptation was mounted in 2015 under the direction of Nishikant Kamat. Ajay Devgn stepped into the lead role, re-imagined as Vijay Salgaonkar, delivering a memorable performance. The screenplay was adapted by Upendra Sidhaye based on Jeethu Joseph's original story. The Hindi version featured an ensemble cast including Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, and Rajat Kapoor.
While the remake followed the original plot, scene order, and core setup almost scene for scene, the filmmakers tailored the presentation, localized dialogues, and heightened the dramatic intensity for Hindi-speaking audiences. Supported by catchy dialogues that caught the public imagination, the Hindi Drishyam achieved major commercial success, entering the elite ₹100 crore club.
A ₹345 Crore Sequel Blockbuster and the Road to Drishyam 3
The Hindi franchise continued its winning streak in 2022 with the release of Drishyam 2, directed and produced by Abhishek Pathak. Receiving widespread acclaim for its crisp screenplay, technical execution, cinematography, and performances, the sequel surpassed all expectations at the box office, grossing ₹345 crore globally.
The franchise is now gearing up for its next chapter with Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3, scheduled for release on 2 October 2026. The new installment introduces Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Jha to the cast, promising fresh dramatic tension. Speaking at the trailer launch, Ajay Devgn revealed that this Hindi iteration will break away from the South Indian version's storyline, offering a newly crafted plot and fresh presentation while preserving the core mind-game essence that fans love.
