Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3: Box Office Milestones and Franchise Shift

Ajay Devgn has returned as Vijay Salgaonkar in Drishyam 3 – The Conclusion, a film that has rapidly become one of the most successful Hindi releases of 2026. Released on 2 October 2026, the film has not only dominated the box office but also signaled a strategic shift in how Bollywood handles long-running franchises by moving away from remakes toward original storytelling.

Box Office Performance: A Global Juggernaut

Within its first ten days of release, Drishyam 3 crossed the ₹300 crore global threshold. The film's trajectory shows an exceptionally strong opening, becoming the first Hindi film of 2026 to reach a domestic double-century milestone within five days. Source 1

The opening weekend was particularly dominant, with the film earning approximately ₹273 crore ($28.4 million), notably surpassing the performance of Tom Cruise's Digger, which earned $20 million in the same period. By day three, the domestic net stood at ₹176.5 crore, with a worldwide gross of ₹272.8 crore. Source 1

Milestone	Collection (Approx.)	Timeline
Opening Weekend	₹273 Crore	Days 1-3
Domestic Milestone	₹200+ Crore	Day 5
Global Milestone	₹300+ Crore	Day 10

Original Script vs. Remake Model

A critical distinction for Drishyam 3 is its narrative origin. While the first two installments of the Hindi series were remakes of the Malayalam originals starring Mohanlal, this finale is a departure from that pattern. The film features an original Hindi script developed independently to provide a definitive conclusion to the Bollywood version of the story. Source 1

This move toward original writing suggests a growing confidence in Hindi cinema's ability to expand existing universes without relying on regional blueprints, focusing instead on tight scripts and audience retention.

Cast and Creative Team

The film reunites the core cast, with Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Shriya Saran returning to their roles. The tension is heightened by the introduction of a new antagonist, police officer Rajveer Tomar, played by Jaideep Ahlawat, who aims to finally dismantle Vijay Salgaonkar's defense. Source 1

The project was directed by Alok Jain and produced by a team including Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak. The film runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes and carries a UA certificate.