As “Drishyam 3” continues its run in theatres, director Abhishek Pathak has said he sees the third film as the final chapter. In a conversation with Screen, he said the team believes this is the last part, and while audiences are enjoying the film and talking about it, “Drishyam” is not a franchise where another film can simply be decided on. It depends entirely on the story, he said, and the story is complete.

A “Poetic” Ending

Pathak described the ending as very poetic, comparing it to a love letter to the franchise. He said many people have suggested a fourth instalment, and that the story could be taken further if the makers wanted to. But the point, he said, was that it had to stop at some stage, and it stopped on a high. He added that the film is still in its second week, with audiences still arriving in large numbers, and he did not want to spoil that experience for them. He also hoped October 2 would continue to be celebrated as “Drishyam Day.”

The Box Office Picture

According to Sacnilk, “Drishyam 3: The Conclusion” has grossed ₹501.80 crore worldwide in 12 days. Its India collection stands at ₹323.50 crore, with ₹245.50 crore earned in the opening week. The film opened at ₹62 crore on its first day, per the same report. Pathak said it earned over ₹60 crore in its second weekend, a figure he said many films do not reach in their entire lifetime. These are early estimates and may be revised.

Why It Matters

Franchise filmmakers are usually under pressure to extend a successful series, so a director publicly closing the door on a sequel while the film is a hit is unusual. It also frames the film’s box office run as a farewell rather than a launchpad. Whether the makers hold to that position as the numbers grow remains to be seen.