Drishyam The Conclusion Review

Movie Review

Drishyam The Conclusion

★ 8/10 Excellent

Director

Abhishek Pathak

Cast

Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shriya Saran, Prakash Raj, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav

Release Date

October 2, 2026

Verdict: A gripping, well-acted finale that saves its best for the second half and the climax. A slow start and a few predictable turns hold it back, but most early viewers seem satisfied.

Pros:

• Ajay Devgn’s calm, controlled turn as Vijay Salgaonkar
• Jaideep Ahlawat is a strong, intimidating new rival
• Tense courtroom drama and a much-discussed climax

Cons:

• The first half takes time to find its pace
• Some viewers found it predictable and less emotional

About Drishyam: The Conclusion 2026

Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar one last time in Drishyam: The Conclusion. The third and final Hindi chapter of the crime thriller series opened in theatres on 2 October 2026, the Gandhi Jayanti holiday. Abhishek Pathak, who made Drishyam 2, is back as director and co-writer.

This time, the story is original rather than a remake, and it has little in common with Mohanlal’s Malayalam Drishyam 3 from May. The film runs about two and a half hours. Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav return, while Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj are new additions. Early audience response on social media is largely positive, though a smaller group found it slow in parts or predictable.

The story picks up after the events of Drishyam 2. Vijay, the small town Goa man and film buff, is still guarding the secret that has hung over his family for years. His wife Nandini and daughters Anju and Anu are trying to live a normal life. Then fresh evidence surfaces, and the old case is reopened. Meera Deshmukh (Tabu) still wants answers about her son Sam.

She now teams up with SP Rajveer Singh Tomar (Jaideep Ahlawat), a tough Crime Branch officer. Prakash Raj joins as a public prosecutor, and much of the fight moves into the courtroom. What follows is one more battle of wits, with Vijay trying to protect his family from a system that now seems to want more than justice. The film saves its biggest moves for the last act, so it is best to go in knowing little.

On X, the climax is the biggest talking point. Many viewers say the last half hour is where the film truly takes off, and several rank the final twist among the best in the series. The interval point is another favourite. Ajay Devgn is being widely praised for playing Vijay with quiet restraint. Fans note how much he says through his eyes and how calm he stays under pressure. Some call this his finest outing in the role. Jaideep Ahlawat has quickly become a favourite too.

His steely Crime Branch officer gives Vijay a worthy rival, and their first-half face-off is among the most discussed scenes. Prakash Raj’s courtroom scenes also get plenty of love, while Rajat Kapoor and Kamlesh Sawant earn good mentions. Several posts praise the background score and the punchy dialogue in the second half. Not everyone is fully sold, though.

The most common complaint is a slow first half that takes time to build. A few viewers found the plot predictable, and some felt it lacks the emotional pull of the earlier films. Others ranked it below the first two parts while still enjoying the ending. Some walked out with mixed feelings, and one viewer felt the series should have ended with Part 2.

Comparisons with the Malayalam Drishyam 3 are everywhere. Since the Hindi film tells its own story, many who saw both prefer this version, while others feel Jeethu Joseph’s film leaned more on family emotions. Overall, the sentiment is clearly positive. Strong advance bookings and busy holiday shows, with plenty of families in the audience, suggest early word of mouth is working in its favour.

If you have followed Vijay’s journey since 2015, this one is an easy pick. Fans of slow-burn thrillers, cat and mouse drama and courtroom face offs will also find a lot to like. The strengths are clear: strong performances, steadily rising tension and a payoff most viewers felt was worth the wait. The weak spots are a sluggish start and a few turns that seasoned thriller fans may see coming.

If you prefer fast-paced thrillers or never warmed to the earlier films, waiting for the streaming release is a fair call. For everyone else, the final act is best enjoyed in a packed theatre. A quick refresher of Drishyam 2 before you go will help, as the story builds directly on it. The U/A 16+ certificate also means viewers under 16 should watch with parental guidance.

Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.