emirates7 - Mohanlal’s much-awaited thriller Drishyam 3 has been delayed, with the makers now eyeing a May 21 theatrical release, and this time, the shift isn’t just about box office strategy.

According to reports, the Gulf region is a key market for Malayalam cinema and the team have decided to release the movie during a more stable window.

With the region playing a crucial role in overseas collections, the decision appears to be a calculated pause rather than a setback.

The third instalment of the blockbuster franchise brings back Georgekutty, the unassuming yet razor-sharp protagonist who has kept audiences hooked for over a decade. But with each chapter, expectations have only grown more intense something director Jeethu Joseph is acutely aware of.

In an earlier conversation with Gulf News, Joseph admitted that the success of Drishyam has been both a blessing and a burden.

“I cannot say it’s the best thing that happened to my career, but in a way, yes,” he said, acknowledging how the franchise continues to define his identity as a filmmaker.

That success, however, comes with its own pressures.

“Even if I make a humorous film, people expect something dark or shocking,” he said. “With Drishyam 3, expectations are even higher.”

He promises that the third part won’t simply follow the template.

“Drishyam 2 was very different from the first. This one is totally different from both,” he added, hinting at another narrative shift.

Known for his no-compromise approach, Joseph insists the script remains untouched by star demands.

“If there’s an issue, we sort it out before the shoot. But I don’t make changes for fan service,” he said.

Working again with Mohanlal, whom he describes as “like water — able to take the shape of any role,” Joseph is banking on performance and storytelling rather than spectacle.

For now, all eyes are on May 21, a date that not only gives Drishyam 3 breathing room, but also raises the stakes for a franchise that has come to redefine Indian thrillers.