Ajay Devgn's Vijay Salgaonkar has done it again - this time at the ticket counter. Drishyam 3, the latest chapter in Bollywood's most durable suspense franchise, crossed the Rs 300 crore mark in just ten days of its release, cementing its status as one of the biggest Hindi hits of 2026. The film, which opened in theatres on October 2, continues to draw packed houses well into its second week, a rarity for a thriller operating without the cushion of a festive holiday window.
According to trade tracking, the Abhishek Pathak directorial entered the Rs 300 crore club on its tenth day, and in the process set a new benchmark for the second weekend of a Hindi mystery-thriller. The film's hold on weekday collections has been notably strong, with occupancy staying firm across multiplexes and single screens alike - a pattern that suggests word-of-mouth is doing as much heavy lifting as the franchise's built-in fanbase.
A Second Weekend That Defies the Usual Drop-Off
Most big-ticket Hindi releases see a sharp slide after the first weekend, but Drishyam 3 has bucked that trend. The film's second-weekend numbers, according to industry observers, rank among the highest ever for the genre, putting it in rare company alongside a handful of Hindi films that have sustained momentum past the ten-day mark without a holiday assist. Analysts point to the film's cliffhanger-driven marketing and the enduring appeal of the Salgaonkar family saga as key factors.
The franchise, which began with the 2015 Hindi remake of the Malayalam original, has built its reputation on intricate plotting rather than spectacle. That formula appears to be working yet again. The third instalment picks up years after Vijay outsmarted the police, only for fresh evidence to threaten the secret he has guarded so fiercely. As the investigation reopens, Vijay is once again forced to outwit the system to protect his family - a premise that has clearly resonated with audiences who have followed the character for over a decade.
Ajay Devgn Anchors a Star-Studded Ensemble
Devgn's return as Vijay Salgaonkar has been widely described as the film's emotional spine, with the actor slipping back into the role with the quiet intensity that has defined the character since the first film. He is joined by a formidable supporting cast: Jaideep Ahlawat as SP Rajveer Singh Tomar, Tabu as Meera Deshmukh, Shriya Saran as Nandini Salgaonkar, Rajat Kapoor as Mahesh Deshmukh, and Prakash Raj as Public Prosecutor Indrajith Shetty. Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav reprise their roles as Anju and Anu Salgaonkar, respectively.
Director Abhishek Pathak, who has been associated with the franchise's later chapters, keeps the runtime at a taut 148 minutes - a length that has drawn praise from critics who noted that the film rarely sags despite its dense plotting. The thriller-drama-mystery blend that defines the series remains intact, with the courtroom sequences and cat-and-mouse exchanges between Devgn and Ahlawat earning particular attention in early reviews.
Ratings Hold Steady as Awards Season Looms
On TMDb, Drishyam 3 currently sits at a 7.6 out of 10 rating, a score that aligns closely with the reception of its predecessors and suggests the franchise has maintained its quality threshold. For a third instalment in a Hindi thriller series, that consistency is notable - sequels in this space often struggle to match the original's impact.
The film's box-office trajectory also raises the question of where it ultimately lands. With the second weekend outpacing expectations and no major Hindi release slated to challenge it in the coming week, trade watchers believe Drishyam 3 has a clear runway to push toward significantly higher totals before its theatrical run winds down. Whether it can challenge the year's biggest earners will depend on how it holds through the third week, but the signs so far are encouraging.
For now, the headline is simple: Drishyam 3 has crossed Rs 300 crore in ten days and set a second-weekend record for its genre. In a year that has seen several big-budget Hindi films stumble after strong openings, the Vijay Salgaonkar franchise has once again proven that a well-told mystery, anchored by a star in full command of his material, can still bring audiences back to theatres - and keep them coming back long after opening weekend.
Source: Filmibeat
