Mohanlal’s return as Georgekutty was always going to be an event. But the numbers coming out of Kerala are making it crystal clear — Drishyam 3 isn’t just a big release, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest Malayalam box office stories of 2026.
Drishyam 3 Kerala Box Office — Day-Wise Collections
| Day | Kerala Collection |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (May 21, 2026) | Rs. 11.00 crore |
| Day 2 (May 22, 2026) | Rs. 9.00 crore (est.) |
| Total (2 Days) | Rs. 20.00 crore |
The Film & Its Record-Breaking Start
Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, is witnessing a phenomenal run at the box office. After opening with Rs. 11 crore, the family crime thriller added another Rs. 9 crore to the tally, registering around an 18% drop on Day 2 from the opening day.
An 18% drop on a weekday — that’s what a solid, loyal fanbase looks like in action. For context, the film is looking to wind up its opening weekend around Rs. 40-45 crore at the Kerala box office alone, with Saturday and Sunday expected to see a significant jump in numbers.
On the worldwide front, the film released on May 21 — which also marked Mohanlal’s birthday — and has already crossed Rs. 23 crore gross in India within two days, with the Malayalam version remaining the strongest contributor.
Drishyam 3 — Quick Film Guide
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release Date | May 21, 2026 |
| Director | Jeethu Joseph |
| Producer | Antony Perumbavoor (Aashirvad Cinemas) |
| Lead Cast | Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sarath, Murali Gopy |
| Genre | Family Crime Thriller |
| Language | Malayalam (+ dubbed in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada) |
| Day 1 Worldwide Gross | Rs. 42.50 crore (est.) |
| 2-Day Kerala Total | Rs. 20.00 crore |
A Historic Opening for Malayalam Cinema
Drishyam 3 has already etched its name in Mollywood history. At the Kerala box office, the film ranks as the second-highest all-time opener in Malayalam cinema, behind only L2: Empuraan (2025) which had taken Rs. 67.50 crore on its opening day worldwide.
Directed by Jeethu Joseph, Drishyam 3 picks up after the events of Drishyam 2 and brings back the familiar cast including Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Murali Gopy, Siddique, and Asha Sarath.
The Drishyam film series has been one of Malayalam cinema’s most beloved franchises — the original 2013 film became a massive cult classic, while Drishyam 2 released digitally during the pandemic but still earned enormous acclaim. The third chapter arriving in theatres with this kind of response is a testament to how deeply audiences are invested in Georgekutty’s story.
What to Expect Going Forward?
Though the movie has garnered mixed reactions, it still has enough appeal for its family and cult audiences. Whether Drishyam 3 can rise above the word-of-mouth and deliver a blockbuster run will depend heavily on how it performs on weekdays.
With the weekend still ahead, the film has a strong shot at challenging the top grossers of Mollywood in 2026. For the latest box office updates on Drishyam 3 and other big Malayalam and Indian releases, check out our South Indian box office tracker and entertainment news hub on TechnoSports.
