The Drishyam films have established a distinct identity within the thriller space, with Vijay Salgaonkar’s efforts to protect his family forming the backbone of the story. Over successive instalments, the character and his battle of wits with investigators have helped the series develop strong audience recognition. That familiarity, coupled with the anticipation surrounding how the story will ultimately conclude, gives the new film an advantage going into its theatrical run.
Assessing the early box-office indicators, Johar said, “This is one of Ajay Devgn’s biggest, I mean, huge franchises, and advance bookings are super solid. The trailer is outstanding, everyone is loving it, and it’s going to take a huge start. More than ₹35-40 crore is on.”
When asked whether the momentum was being driven by the franchise’s recall, Devgn’s presence or other factors, Johar attributed it to a combination of elements. “Yeah, it’s a mix of everything. Recall, Ajay Devgn, trailer — everyone is very excited for the film.”
The interest, according to Johar, is not restricted to the domestic market. He expects the film to find a strong initial audience internationally as well, particularly among Indian moviegoers overseas.
“Yeah, I think overseas the film is also looking very good. The overseas audience, the diaspora, are also very excited. So, it’s going to have a very good start,” he said.
The release also arrives at a time when theatrical performance has increasingly depended on how strongly a film’s story connects with audiences, rather than star presence alone. For Drishyam: The Conclusion, Johar believes the franchise’s emphasis on storytelling remains an important part of its draw.
“So, as we all know, it’s all about the story, and that is the reason it has been working. And this time also, not only in India but overseas too, the audiences are very excited,” Johar added.
