Why Drishyam 3 Is Trending in India: Box Office, Mixed Reviews and Sequel Buzz

Why Drishyam 3 Is Trending Now

Interest in the Malayalam blockbuster has climbed sharply: Google Trends data for India, observed on 12 October 2026, shows search growth of about 400% over the past 12 months, with the term flagged as a rising query. That signal measures curiosity, not website traffic, and it does not by itself confirm any single news event. The likely drivers are the film's record-breaking theatrical run, its June streaming debut, sharply divided reviews and fresh confirmation that a fourth film is coming.

What the Film Is

Drishyam 3: The Past Never Stays Silent is a 2026 Malayalam crime drama from writer-director Jeethu Joseph, produced by Antony Perumbavoor under Aashirvad Cinemas. It continues the story from Drishyam 2 (2021), with Mohanlal again playing Georgekutty alongside Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Kalabhavan Shajohn, Siddique, Murali Gopy and Asha Sharath. The 160-minute film opened worldwide on 21 May 2026 — Mohanlal's birthday — after an earlier April date was pushed back.

Box Office and Streaming Reach

By the close of its theatrical run, the film had collected roughly ₹237.70 crore globally, the biggest haul in the franchise and among the top Malayalam earners ever. That figure is the worldwide gross, not net profit after taxes and distributor shares. The film reached Amazon Prime Video on 18 June 2026 in Malayalam with Tamil, Telugu and Kannada dubs, following a Delhi High Court interim order in a streaming-rights dispute. That wider digital audience months after release helps explain why searches remain elevated in October.

A Split Critical Verdict

Critical ratings spanned 2 to 4 out of 5 stars. The Quint and Mathrubhumi scored it 4/5 as a worthy continuation, while The Hindu, NDTV, India Today and Hindustan Times landed between 2 and 2.5, with some calling it the weakest entry. One point of near-consensus: Mohanlal's performance drew praise even from detractors. That divide sustains debate — and search traffic — long after opening weekend.

Is Drishyam 4 Confirmed?

Jeethu Joseph first said he wanted part three to close Georgekutty's arc, then acknowledged that audience response had him weighing ideas for another chapter, while stressing the post-credit scene was not a formal announcement. In late August 2026, producer Antony Perumbavoor confirmed Drishyam 4 would happen. Until an official announcement sets out story and dates, treat further speculation cautiously.