Malayalam superstar Mohanlal rang in his birthday on Thursday, 21 May to an outpouring of wishes from across Indian cinema, with his close friend and fellow superstar Mammootty among the first to post a heartfelt greeting. The celebrations carried extra weight as Drishyam 3, the third instalment of the blockbuster franchise, hit screens on the same day — making it a double celebration for fans.

Stars Pour In Birthday Wishes

Mammootty, known for his decades-long friendship with Mohanlal, kept his message warm and personal: 'Heartfelt birthday wishes to dear Lalin.' Director Tharun Moorthy, who is currently helming Mohanlal's upcoming film 'Athi Manoharam', called the star 'My Idol, My Inspiration, My Hero Mohanlal' in his birthday post.

Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu offered one of the more expansive tributes, writing: 'Happy Birthday, Lalettan. Some people become stars. Very few become emotions. You've inspired generations with your art, but what I admire most is the incredible human being behind the legend. Your warmth, simplicity, and grace make people love you even more beyond cinema.' He added, 'So grateful for every conversation, every moment, and every bit of inspiration. Wishing you good health, happiness, peace, and many more years of magic. Love and respect always.'

Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly posted on his X timeline: 'Wishing the one and only Lalettan, a very happy birthday. And what a perfect day to celebrate cinema, wishing the entire team of #Drishyam3 a grand release today.' Director Jeethu Joseph, who helms Drishyam 3, posted a photograph of himself planting a kiss on Mohanlal's cheek with the caption: 'Happy birthday dear Lalettan.'

Drishyam 3 Releases on the Star's Birthday

Drishyam 3 released in cinemas on 21 May, coinciding with Mohanlal's birthday — a release timing that has amplified fan excitement considerably. The film had originally been scheduled to release on 2 April this year but was postponed due to the tense situation persisting in the Gulf region, which has a significant Malayalam-speaking audience.

The third instalment continues the story of George Kutty, the ordinary cable TV operator portrayed by Mohanlal across the franchise. A previously released teaser opened with a recap of the first two parts: the first narrated from George Kutty's own perspective, the second from the viewpoint of his police adversaries.

What the Teaser Reveals About George Kutty's Arc

In the teaser, George Kutty's voice is heard saying: 'I am just an ordinary man. My world is small and it comprises just my wife and my children. An unwanted guest invaded our privacy — a guest who had the power to destroy my family. We sent him back forever to ensure he would never return to ruin our lives.'

The policeman's voiceover follows: 'It's like a case that is closed but will never close. Actually, it was not us who were watching him. He was the one watching us.'

The teaser then shows George Kutty at prayer, confessing: 'This battle of mine began the day I was born... I did not realise how many people I had hurt. Now, I am scared, sir. I don't know who else is out there watching!' Notably, while earlier instalments showed George Kutty as calm and calculating under pressure, the third part appears to present a visibly rattled protagonist — a significant tonal shift that has intrigued fans of the franchise.

Franchise Legacy and What Comes Next

The Drishyam franchise, created and directed by Jeethu Joseph, is among the most commercially successful in Malayalam cinema's history and has spawned remakes in multiple Indian languages. With Drishyam 3 now in theatres, audience response over the opening weekend will be closely watched by the industry. Director Jeethu Joseph also separately took to his Instagram timeline to share a reflection on the character he created, underscoring the personal significance of the release.