Actor Ajay Devgn has cleared the air over speculation that Jaideep Ahlawat has replaced Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3, the third chapter of one of Hindi cinema's most successful thriller franchises. Speaking at the trailer launch event of the film, Devgn explained that the two actors portray entirely distinct characters — and that the shift in investigative agency is central to the story's escalation.

Why the Crime Branch enters the picture

Devgn offered a direct narrative explanation for the casting addition. 'The police case is not solved, so we had to move on. So we have made the threat bigger. Now crime branch is involved. So that makes the threat bigger. There is no repetition. And there are two different characters,' he said at the event.

He further elaborated: 'The whole approach of the investigation changes when the Crime Branch comes in. So I think that is what the film deserved and that is what was done.' The entry of the Crime Branch, represented by Jaideep Ahlawat's character, is thus a story-driven escalation rather than a replacement of Akshaye Khanna's existing role in the franchise.

A completely original script, Devgn stresses

Notably, Drishyam 3 marks a significant creative departure from its predecessors. While the first two Hindi instalments drew heavily from the original Malayalam films starring Mohanlal, Devgn indicated that the third chapter is built on an entirely new screenplay. 'This is a completely different script. So, their three are completely different. Our film is completely different. It's not like we've made a few changes; it's completely different,' he said.

This distinction matters for both audiences and critics who have followed the franchise across languages. The Drishyam series — originating in Malayalam cinema — has spawned remakes in multiple Indian languages, making each new chapter a point of comparison across film industries.

Devgn seeks Mohanlal's approval

In a candid moment at the launch event, Devgn expressed a personal desire to have Malayalam superstar Mohanlal — who headlined the original films — watch Drishyam 3 and share his verdict. 'I want Mohanlal sir and Joseph to see the film because I would also like their approval, you know, that they love it. That would make me very happy,' said Devgn.

The remark underscores the reverence the Hindi film industry holds for the source material and its original lead. Director Joseph is credited as a key creative figure behind the Malayalam originals, and Devgn's public acknowledgement signals a conscious effort to honour that lineage even as the new film charts its own course.

Release and direction

Drishyam 3, directed by Abhishek Pathak, is set to release in cinemas on 2 October 2025. The film arrives on a national holiday — Gandhi Jayanti — a traditionally competitive release window in Bollywood. With the Crime Branch now driving the investigation and an original script in place, the makers are clearly betting on fresh stakes to sustain audience interest in the long-running franchise.