It is now confirmed. Venkatesh Daggubati will not reprise his role for the Drishyam 3 Telugu version. Fans who had been eagerly anticipating a Telugu remake will instead experience Mohanlal‘s original Malayalam thriller in dubbed format.
This marks a significant shift from the franchise’s earlier approach, where separate remakes were produced for different languages.
Malayalam Version Releasing Across South India
Instead of a dedicated Telugu remake, the original Drishyam 3 starring Mohanlal will release simultaneously in multiple languages including Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on May 21, 2026, and the Malayalam trailer has already generated strong buzz online.
Advance bookings for the Malayalam version are now open. However, official confirmation regarding trailers and promotional plans for the dubbed Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada versions has not yet been announced.
Reports suggest all language versions will release simultaneously on the same date.
Strong Franchise Value in Telugu Markets
The Drishyam franchise enjoys a massive fan following among Telugu audiences as well. The first two installments were highly successful and received widespread appreciation for their gripping screenplay and suspense-driven storytelling.
Despite not having a direct remake, Drishyam 3 is expected to open well among Telugu audiences. The franchise’s established reputation and the strong buzz surrounding Mohanlal‘s performance are likely to drive theatrical footfalls.
Earlier speculation about Venkatesh stepping away from the franchise emerged in January 2026, which has now been officially confirmed.
Venkatesh’s Drishyam Journey Ends
Venkatesh Daggubati portrayed the iconic role of Rambabu in the Telugu remakes of the first two films. The first Drushyam released in theatres on July 11, 2014, and emerged as a blockbuster success at the box office.
Its sequel, Drushyam 2, took a different route by skipping theatrical release. The film premiered directly on Amazon Prime Video in November 2021, where it also garnered a positive response from viewers and critics alike.
While fans will miss seeing Venkatesh in the third installment, anticipation for Drishyam 3 remains strong. The May 21 release will mark the first time Telugu audiences experience a Drishyam film in dubbed format rather than as a full-fledged remake.
