Is Venkatesh’s Drishyam 3 Shelved?

The celebrated Malayalam crime-thriller franchise Drishyam is gearing up for its next chapter. The latest installment, Drishyam 3, starring Mohanlal and helmed once again by Jeethu Joseph, is slated for a theatrical release on April 2. Riding on the franchise’s formidable legacy, expectations are already simmering.

In the Hindi belt, Ajay Devgn’s version of Drishyam 3 has locked October 2 as its release date. However, when it comes to the Telugu adaptation, silence reigns supreme. No official word. No timeline. Just conjecture.

Earlier this year, during an event held in the United States, Venkatesh himself hinted at the existence of Drishyam 3, confirming that he would reunite with Meena for the project. That statement briefly reignited optimism among Telugu audiences. But the optimism appears to be waning. Of late, murmurs suggesting that the film may not materialize at all have begun circulating, casting long shadows over the project’s fate.

At present, Venkatesh is deeply engrossed in Adarsha Kutumbam House No. 47, directed by Trivikram. Following that, he is reportedly committed to Sankranthiki Malli Vastunnam, the sequel to Sankranthiki Vastunnam, under the direction of Anil Ravipudi. Industry chatter from Film Nagar indicates that this sequel will go on floors in June, with a planned release during Sankranthi 2027. With such an intensive lineup, insiders suggest that accommodating Drishyam 3 within this packed schedule seems increasingly improbable.

Adding another layer of intrigue, Jeethu Joseph had earlier stated that Drishyam 3 would be released simultaneously in Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. That promise now appears diluted. The Malayalam and Hindi versions are moving ahead with separate release dates, while the Telugu version remains conspicuously absent from any announcement calendar.

As things stand, speculation is rife that the Telugu Drishyam 3, which was to feature Venkatesh in the lead, may have been quietly dropped. Yet, without an official clarification from Venkatesh or his team, the truth remains elusive. Until then, the question lingers in the air, unanswered and unsettling.