Drishyam 3 Announced: Ajay Devgn Returns as Vijay Salgaonkar, Release Date Locked for October 2, 2026

Drishyam 3 Announced: Bollywood’s most iconic thriller franchise is officially back. Ajay Devgn will reprise his legendary role as Vijay Salgaonkar in Drishyam 3, with the makers confirming a worldwide theatrical release on October 2, 2026. The announcement has instantly created buzz among fans, not just because of the film’s return, but also due to the symbolic importance of its release date.

Filming Underway With Original Cast

According to the official announcement, filming for Drishyam 3 is currently underway at multiple locations across India. The third installment will bring back the core cast that made the franchise a massive success. Alongside Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, and Mrunal Jadhav are returning to reprise their roles.

The film is being presented by Star Studio18 and produced by Panorama Studios, with Abhishek Pathak once again stepping in as director. The screenplay has been written by Abhishek Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan, and Parveez Shaikh, while producers include Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak.

Makers have hinted that Drishyam 3 will raise the stakes even higher, promising intense suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists, staying true to the franchise’s psychological thriller roots.

Why October 2 Is More Than Just a Release Date

October 2 is not a random choice for Drishyam 3. Over the years, the date has become deeply embedded in Indian pop culture, thanks to the original Drishyam (2015).

In the film, Vijay Salgaonkar famously keeps reminding his family,
“Kal 2 October hai, yaad hai na?”
This date forms the backbone of a carefully constructed fake alibi that helps Vijay protect his family after they become involved in the disappearance of Sam, the son of IG Meera Deshmukh, played by Tabu.

The alibi includes a detailed timeline—travelling to Panaji, attending a satsang, eating pav bhaji, watching a movie, staying overnight, and returning the next day. Every family member memorises the story perfectly, turning October 2 into one of the most unforgettable plot devices in Hindi cinema.

The Birth of a Meme Culture Phenomenon

What truly sets Drishyam apart is how October 2 transcended cinema and entered meme culture. Every year on Gandhi Jayanti, social media platforms are flooded with jokes, memes, and witty references asking, “Yaad hai na, 2 October?”

Even more than a decade after the film’s release, fans continue to speculate, joke, and recreate alternate theories about what “really happened” on October 2. This ongoing digital phenomenon has kept Drishyam alive in public memory, making Vijay Salgaonkar one of Bollywood’s most enduring characters.

Vijay Salgaonkar: A Modern Bollywood Icon

The Hindi adaptation of Mohanlal’s Malayalam blockbuster, directed by the late Nishikant Kamat, transformed Ajay Devgn into a new kind of cinematic hero. Vijay Salgaonkar is not a larger-than-life action star; he is an ordinary man whose intelligence, emotional resilience, and sharp memory become his biggest weapons.

Across Drishyam and Drishyam 2, audiences witnessed Vijay constantly staying one step ahead of the system, making his character both relatable and fascinating. With Drishyam 3, expectations are sky-high as fans wait to see how his story evolves further.

What to Expect From Drishyam 3

While plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, Drishyam 3 is expected to explore the long-term consequences of Vijay’s past actions. With returning characters, unresolved tensions, and a legacy built on deception and truth, the third film could mark a decisive turning point in the Salgaonkar family’s journey.

With a symbolic October 2 release, a trusted creative team, and a proven franchise, Drishyam 3 is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases of 2026.