Drishyam turns 11: Abhishek Pathak thanks Ajay Devgn, Tabu & late Nishikant Kamat
Synopsis
Eleven years after Drishyam redefined the Hindi thriller, filmmaker Abhishek Pathak paused to honour everyone who made it possible — including the late Nishikant Kamat. With Drishyam 3 locked for 2 October 2026, the franchise that began as a Malayalam remake is now one of Bollywood's most enduring suspense properties.
Key Takeaways
Drishyam completed 11 years on 31 July 2025 , with filmmaker Abhishek Pathak marking the milestone on social media.
Pathak paid tribute to the late director Nishikant Kamat , calling him the most important contributor to the film's legacy.
The original Drishyam released on 31 July 2015 , starring Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar ; it is an official remake of Jeethu Joseph's Malayalam film.
Drishyam 2 , directed by Abhishek Pathak, released in 2022 and continued the franchise's success.
Drishyam 3 is confirmed, with Ajay Devgn reprising his role; release set for 2 October 2026 .
Filmmaker Abhishek Pathak on 31 July 2025 marked 11 years of Drishyam with a heartfelt note honouring the cast, crew, and audiences who made the Ajay Devgn-starrer a landmark in Hindi cinema. The anniversary tribute also carried a poignant acknowledgement of the film's late director, Nishikant Kamat, whose vision shaped the acclaimed thriller.
Pathak's Anniversary Message
Sharing a special poster reading “11 Years of Drishyam” on his social media account, Pathak wrote: “11 years of Drishyam. Some films become milestones, but a few become a part of your life. Drishyam has been both for me.”
He extended his gratitude to the ensemble: “Forever grateful to Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, Rajat Kapoor, Kamlesh Sawant, my father Kumar Mangat Pathak, and most importantly, the late Nishikant Kamat. Thank you to our incredible team, and above all, to the audiences who have loved, believed in, and stood by Drishyam for the last 11 years.”
About the Film
Drishyam released on 31 July 2015, directed by the late Nishikant Kamat and produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Ajit Andhare. The Hindi suspense thriller is the official remake of filmmaker Jeethu Joseph's acclaimed Malayalam blockbuster of the same name.
Devgn played Vijay Salgaonkar, an ordinary man whose resourcefulness is pushed to the extreme when his family becomes entangled in the disappearance of a teenager. The film drew widespread praise for its tight screenplay and restrained performances.
The Franchise So Far
The original's success paved the way for Drishyam 2, directed by Abhishek Pathak himself, which arrived in 2022 and continued the story of Vijay Salgaonkar and his family. The sequel was equally well received, cementing the franchise's standing as one of Hindi cinema's most durable thriller properties.
What's Next: Drishyam 3
The makers have already announced Drishyam 3, with Ajay Devgn confirmed to reprise his role as Vijay Salgaonkar. The third instalment is slated to release in cinemas on 2 October 2026. Pathak's anniversary note hinted at the excitement ahead: “As we celebrate this journey, I’m filled with gratitude and excited for what lies ahead.”
With a decade-plus of audience loyalty behind it and a third chapter on the horizon, the Drishyam franchise shows no signs of losing its grip.
Point of View
And the decision to lock a third instalment for Gandhi Jayanti weekend 2026 signals genuine commercial confidence. Pathak's public tribute to the late Nishikant Kamat, a decade on, is also a reminder that the original's success rested on a director who never got to see how far the franchise would travel. The real question for Drishyam 3 is whether the screenplay can raise the stakes meaningfully after two films have already tested Vijay Salgaonkar's limits.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Drishyam complete 11 years?
Drishyam completed 11 years on 31 July 2025, exactly a decade and a year after its original theatrical release on 31 July 2015. Filmmaker Abhishek Pathak marked the anniversary with a tribute post on social media.
Who directed the original Drishyam?
The original Hindi Drishyam was directed by the late Nishikant Kamat and produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Ajit Andhare. It is an official remake of Jeethu Joseph's acclaimed Malayalam film of the same name.
What is Drishyam 3 and when will it release?
Drishyam 3 is the third instalment of the Drishyam franchise, with Ajay Devgn confirmed to reprise his role as Vijay Salgaonkar. It is slated to release in cinemas on 2 October 2026.
Who stars in the Drishyam franchise?
The franchise stars Ajay Devgn in the lead role of Vijay Salgaonkar, supported by Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, Rajat Kapoor, and Kamlesh Sawant in pivotal roles.
What is the story of Drishyam?
Drishyam follows Vijay Salgaonkar, an ordinary man whose intelligence and meticulous planning are tested to the extreme when his family becomes entangled in the disappearance of a teenager. The film explores the lengths an ordinary citizen will go to in order to protect his loved ones.
