Sep 23, 2026 10:30am IST
Abhishek Pathak Rules Out ‘Drishyam 4’: ‘There’s No Possibility of Revisiting the Hindi Franchise’ (EXCLUSIVE)
The Hindi and Malayalam versions of “Drishyam” are now heading in different directions, and director Abhishek Pathak has no plans to bring the Hindi franchise back after its third installment. With Ajay Devgn’s “Drishyam: The Conclusion” set to release on October 2, Pathak tells Variety India that Part 3 is intended to be the definitive end of the Hindi story, even as the Malayalam franchise continues on its own trajectory.
“I think they might have a story which they want to take forward. And obviously, the story is moving in two different trajectories. They have a completely different screenplay and story going on,” Pathak says.
The makers established the distinction between the two versions earlier this year. While the Malayalam “Drishyam 3,” directed by Jeethu Joseph and led by Mohanlal, moved in a different narrative direction, the Hindi film has been developed as a separate story. Pathak had previously described the Malayalam film as an emotional family drama, while calling the Hindi version a family thriller.
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For Pathak, that divergence also makes the third Hindi film a natural stopping point rather than a bridge to another sequel. “So, as filmmakers of the Hindi version, I think we want to really cater to what the audience expects out of it. And I think we have made sure that the route we took is something they will love. And beyond this, I don’t think I’m going to be doing that. So there’s no possibility of revisiting the Hindi ‘Drishyam’ for sure,” he says.
The decision is also reflected in the film’s title. Originally referred to as “Drishyam 3,” the Hindi film was officially renamed “Drishyam: The Conclusion,” signaling its position as the final chapter of the Hindi franchise. Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar, with Tabu, Shriya Saran and Rajat Kapoor reprising their roles, while Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj join the cast.
Pathak says the ending was a deliberate creative choice rather than an attempt to keep the franchise open for another installment. “Every story has to end, and I think this is the end for Drishyam. I think everyone will have their own closure, and there won’t be another Drishyam in this franchise for sure.”
For the filmmaker, knowing when to stop is as important as finding a way to continue. He shares, “I think it’s always good to end the trilogy if it’s getting done beautifully. I think that’s the point we need as a filmmaker. I think we need to stop and just let the film live its life on its own, rather than stretching it beyond what it requires. I think that’s the reason why we decided to say that this will be the last stop for the franchise.”
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