There are remakes, and then there are originals that simply cannot be topped. The Drishyam franchise is a perfect case study in both — and with Drishyam 3 arriving on May 21, 2026, a remarkable behind-the-scenes anecdote has resurfaced that puts Mohanlal’s genius into sharp perspective.
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What Esther Anil Revealed About Venkatesh and Mohanlal?
During the promotional campaign for Drishyam 3, actress Esther Anil — who plays Mohanlal’s younger daughter Anju in the franchise — shared a candid memory from the sets of the Telugu remake. She recalled that veteran Telugu star Venkatesh Daggubati openly admitted during filming that he simply wouldn’t be able to recreate the expressions Mohanlal delivered in the original Malayalam version — because that was something only Mohanlal could do.
It’s a rare moment of humility from one superstar about another, and it speaks volumes about the kind of performer Mohanlal truly is. For a mega-star of Venkatesh’s caliber to say that openly on set — that’s not just a compliment, that’s a verdict.
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Drishyam 3 — Everything You Need to Know
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film | Drishyam 3 |
| Lead Actor | Mohanlal |
| Director | Jeethu Joseph |
| Release Date | May 21, 2026 (Mohanlal’s 66th birthday) |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Co-Stars | Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sharath, Murali Gopy |
| Original Release Date | April 2, 2026 (postponed) |
| Teaser Release | April 29, 2026 |
Georgekutty Returns — What’s the Story?
Drishyam 3 picks up where the second installment left off, with Georgekutty and his family once again at the centre of the storm. The emotional weight of the crime they have been hiding continues to press down on them, and the third chapter promises to push that tension even further. Director Jeethu Joseph, who helmed all three films, returns to close out what has become one of the most iconic crime drama franchises in Indian cinema.
The film was originally scheduled for April 2, 2026, but was later postponed to coincide with Mohanlal’s 66th birthday on May 21 — a fitting tribute to the man who essentially is the franchise.
Mohanlal’s packed 2026 schedule also includes Patriot alongside Mammootty (May 1, 2026), and the upcoming cop-comedy Athimanoharam directed by Tharun Moorthy, expected to wrap filming by June 2026. He also has cameo appearances lined up in Khalifa, Kathanaar, Jailer 2, and Thudakkam.
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FAQs
Q: When is Drishyam 3 releasing and who is in the cast?
Drishyam 3 is set to release on May 21, 2026, coinciding with Mohanlal’s 66th birthday, with the core cast including Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sharath, and Murali Gopy alongside Mohanlal.
Q: What did Venkatesh say about Mohanlal in the Telugu remake of Drishyam?
Venkatesh openly admitted on set that he would not be able to recreate Mohanlal’s expressions from the original, acknowledging that those performances were uniquely Mohanlal’s own.
