Mohanlal’s highly anticipated film Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, was initially planned for a worldwide theatrical release on April 2nd. The film has now been postponed to May 21st due to the ongoing war crisis in the Middle East.
In this situation, Drishyam 2, which was released directly on Amazon Prime during the COVID period, is set for a theatrical release on April 10th. This release comes just ahead of the third instalment in the popular franchise.
With this move, Drishyam 2 becomes one of the first direct OTT releases to arrive in theatres in Indian cinema. Many viewers have welcomed this decision and see it as a smart strategy to build stronger anticipation for Drishyam 3.
Expectations for Drishyam 3 are already high among Malayalam audiences. However, some feel the story may be an unnecessary extension. The narrative continues to revolve around a single murder case, which raises doubts for a section of viewers.
Supporters of the strategy believe a theatrical re-release of Drishyam 2 can help. Watching the film again on the big screen may allow audiences to better understand the story. This could also enhance the value and depth of the upcoming third part.
At the same time, some trade trackers view this as a damage control step. They believe the makers want to maintain momentum after the postponement. Releasing Drishyam 2 on April 10th could help sustain interest and keep the buzz alive.
It now remains to be seen how Drishyam 2 performs in theatres. The response will indicate whether this strategy works. Its theatrical run could also impact the overall hype surrounding Drishyam 3.
