The Drishyam franchise has long been a benchmark for edge-of-your-seat thrillers, blending family drama with razor-sharp suspense. From the 2013 Malayalam original that redefined regional cinema to its Hindi remake starring Ajay Devgn, the series has captivated audiences across India. Now, as whispers of Drishyam 3 grow louder, a surprising hiccup has stolen the spotlight: the delayed announcement of the Hindi version's teaser. Caught in the crossfire is a creative clause dispute between the Hindi and Malayalam teams, threatening to overshadow the excitement. With Ajay Devgn gearing up for his return and shoots slated for October 2025, fans are left wondering if this final chapter will deliver the twists we've all been craving.

The Teaser That Wasn't: A Gandhi Jayanti Letdown

October 2, 2025, marked Gandhi Jayanti—a date etched in the franchise's history for its symbolic nod to truth and deception. The Hindi producers, led by Panorama Studios and T-Series, had teased fans with promises of a grand reveal: a 1-minute-17-second announcement promo, already cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification on September 29. Social media buzzed with anticipation, envisioning Ajay's stoic Vijay Salgaonkar hinting at unresolved shadows from Drishyam 2. But the clock ticked past midnight, and nothing dropped. What followed was radio silence, fueling speculation that this wasn't just a glitch but a full-blown standoff.

Creative Clause Dispute: When Remakes Meet Originals

At the heart of the delay lies a simmering tension rooted in the franchise's remake agreement. The Malayalam original, helmed by writer-director Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal as the cunning Georgekutty, holds the blueprint. Its producers, including Antony Perumbavoor's Aashirvad Cinemas, have enforced a strict clause: no Hindi content—like teasers or announcements—can launch without their explicit nod. Reports suggest the Hindi team jumped the gun by floating a 2026 release date right after Mohanlal's June 2025 shoot reveal, irking Joseph and his crew. Jeethu, protective of his vision, reportedly issued warnings laced with legal undertones, insisting the Malayalam edition wraps principal photography first.

This isn't mere bureaucracy; it's a clash of creative egos in a pan-India era. The Malayalam Drishyam 3 kicked off with a pooja on September 23, 2025, aiming for a March 2026 bow—potentially on Eid—to capitalize on southern markets. The Hindi side, eyeing a Gandhi Jayanti 2026 slot, risks cannibalizing buzz if they overlap. Insiders whisper of "unethical moves" by the Bollywood camp, but both sides seem poised for reconciliation to avoid derailing the project. After all, Drishyam's magic lies in its synchronized storytelling, not fractured feuds.

Ajay Devgn's Powerful Return: Reigniting the Salgaonkar Saga

Enter Ajay Devgn, the unflappable everyman whose portrayal of Vijay Salgaonkar turned a regional gem into a national obsession. After nailing the protective father's quiet ferocity in the first two films, Ajay's third outing feels like destiny. Directed once more by Abhishek Pathak—who helmed Drishyam 2's OTT triumph—the cast reunites with Tabu as the relentless cop, Shriya Saran as the devoted wife, and Akshaye Khanna's shadowy antagonist making a chilling comeback. Supporting players like Ishita Dutta and Rajat Kapoor add layers to the family's fragile facade.

Ajay, fresh off wrapping Dhamaal 4, has cleared his calendar for this. "The script's in its final polish," sources say, blending fresh twists with echoes of the original's moral maze. Whether it's a straight remake or an adapted tale remains under wraps, but one thing's clear: Ajay's return promises to humanize the horror, making every lie feel heartbreakingly real.

Lights, Camera, October: Shoot Kickoff and 2026 Release Hopes

Come mid-October 2025, the drought of updates should end as cameras roll simultaneously on both versions. The Hindi shoot, a grueling three-month marathon across Maharashtra's misty locales and Mumbai studios, starts October 2—Gandhi Jayanti's postponed gift. Expect real-location authenticity to amp up the immersion, from rain-slicked roads to dimly lit homes hiding secrets.

Looking ahead, Drishyam 3 eyes an October 2026 release for Hindi, syncing loosely with Malayalam's early-year drop. If the dispute dissolves, this could be the franchise's grand finale, grossing crores while probing deeper into guilt's long shadow. For now, the delay tests our patience, but in true Drishyam fashion, the best reveals are worth the wait.

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