Chennai, March 20 – According to sources in the industry, the release of director Jeethu Joseph's highly anticipated Malayalam film, "Drishyam 3," starring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, is likely to be postponed.
For those unaware, the film was scheduled to be released worldwide on April 2 this year.
Sources say that due to the tense situation prevailing in the Gulf region, the makers were likely to consider postponing the film's release.
However, no official announcement has been made yet, and the film is still scheduled for release on April 2.
It may be recalled that Mohanlal had completed filming for his portions of the film in December last year. A video clip of the actor cutting a cake in front of the entire unit to celebrate the completion of his portions went viral.
Mohanlal had begun work on this film on the eve of receiving India's highest honour for cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, last year.
The film, which is the third installment in the highly successful franchise, was formally launched with a traditional puja ceremony held at a law college near Kochi in September last year.
Director Jeethu Joseph, addressing the media ahead of the launch, revealed that "Drishyam 3" would explore the next chapter in the life of Georgekutty, the iconic character played by Mohanlal in the film.
"The film focuses on what happens in Georgekutty's life after four-and-a-half years. That is the core of the story," Joseph explained.
Producer Antony Perumbavoor, a long-time collaborator of Mohanlal and a key figure behind the success of the Drishyam series, said that the decision to proceed with the third installment came after extensive discussions.
"The phenomenal response to the first two parts convinced us that Georgekutty's journey had more to tell. Only after detailed talks with Jeethu did we finalize this new version," Perumbavoor stated.
The unit shot at various locations, including Thodupuzha and Vagamon, with the final five-day schedule taking place in Ernakulam.
The Drishyam films have achieved cult status in Indian cinema for their gripping storytelling, intricate suspense, and Mohanlal's acclaimed performance.
The first film, released in 2013, set new benchmarks in Malayalam cinema, while its sequel, released in 2021, drew record-breaking viewership both in theaters and on streaming platforms.