Drishyam 3: The Conclusion has taken the franchise’s suspense to its final chapter, but getting the story right reportedly required an extraordinary amount of rewriting. Writer Aamil Keeyan Khan has revealed that he worked on more than 100 drafts while trying to find the right conclusion for Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar.
The writer also opened up about how the filmmakers protected the film’s climax from leaks before its theatrical release.
More Than 100 Drafts
Khan revealed that he had lost count of the number of versions he developed for the film. The writing process involved numerous drafts as the team worked to create a conclusion that could surprise audiences while retaining the identity of the Drishyam franchise.
The challenge was particularly significant because audiences already know Vijay Salgaonkar as a character who is constantly one step ahead.
The Climax Was Kept Secret
The filmmakers reportedly adopted a strict need-to-know system to prevent the ending from leaking.
According to Khan, director Abhishek Pathak ensured that much of the crew did not receive the complete climax. Some departments were given only the information required to execute their individual scenes.
Even actors, friends and relatives reportedly tried to get details about the ending from the writer.
Ajay Devgn’s “17 Tabs” Mentality
Khan also recalled being impressed by Ajay Devgn’s ability to switch between projects and characters almost instantly.
He described an incident during Drishyam 2 when Devgn was discussing another film before being called to shoot a scene. According to the writer, Devgn immediately shifted into Vijay Salgaonkar’s character, completed the scene and then returned to their earlier conversation.
Khan compared the actor’s mind to having multiple tabs open at the same time.
A Different Hindi Story
Khan also clarified that the Hindi team began developing its own story after Drishyam 2, before reading the Malayalam version of the third film.
While both films belong to the same franchise, the writer said the Hindi and Malayalam versions should not simply be viewed as identical stories translated into different languages.
Drishyam 3’s Strong Box Office Run
The secrecy and extensive writing process have come alongside a strong theatrical performance. According to figures cited by Hindustan Times, Drishyam 3 had reached ₹176.50 crore net in India and ₹272.80 crore worldwide after its first three days.
The Final Chapter
With its carefully guarded climax and extensive rewriting process, Drishyam 3 demonstrates how much effort can go into protecting the central mystery of a thriller particularly when audiences are already trained to look for every clue.