REVEALED! How Abhishek Pathak Built the Unpredictable Suspense of Drishyam 3?

Delivering a thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats is a challenge; outsmarting a fanbase that has spent years studying every detail of a beloved franchise is almost impossible. Yet, as anticipation reaches its peak for Drishyam 3, director Abhishek Pathak believes he and his writing team have pulled off the ultimate cinematic sleight of hand.

The Drishyam series has built its reputation on the razor-sharp intellect of its central character, Vijay Salgaonkar – a simple family man whose ability to stay steps ahead of the law has captivated millions. For the third chapter, Pathak knew that standard suspense mechanics wouldn’t cut it. To truly shock the audience, the creative team had to immerse themselves completely inside the calculated mind of Vijay Salgaonkar himself.

Reflecting on the grueling, mind-bending writing process, Pathak shared a pivotal moment from the film’s development. He said, “When we were writing, we were thinking like Salgaonkar. Even when I was narrating the script to Ajay Devgn, there came a point when we brought it to a halt…and I kept asking people, ‘Now, what do you think is going to happen?’ No one could really guess it, and that was a victory in itself.”

By turning the script room and even early narrations with leading man Ajay Devgn, into an interactive litmus test, Pathak ensured that every potential fan theory was systematically dismantled. With early listeners left stumped by the film’s trajectory, Pathak enters the release confident that Drishyam 3 will give thriller enthusiasts the ultimate test of wits. Drishyam 3 releases on 2nd October 2026.