It’s a double celebration for Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and his fans. On one hand, the Drishyam franchise is officially returning with its highly anticipated third part. On the other hand, the actor himself is preparing to receive the most prestigious recognition in Indian cinema—the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Drishyam 3 Rolls Out With Tradition
Speaking to the media, Mohanlal revealed that Drishyam 3 will officially go on floors today, September 22. As per tradition, the team is starting the journey with a pooja ceremony, marking the beginning of the film’s shoot with blessings and positivity. For fans who have been eagerly waiting to know what happens next in Georgekutty’s saga, this announcement couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Drishyam series has always been more than just films—they’ve been cultural events. When the first part was released in 2013, it shook audiences with its gripping tale of a simple cable TV operator who would go to unimaginable lengths to protect his family after a surprise offense. The follow-up, Drishyam 2, which came out in 2021, intensified the drama and demonstrated that lightning can indeed strike twice. And now, with part three set to arrive, the wait already starts higher.
Director Jeethu Joseph, who has steered the story from the very beginning, has earlier hinted that the third part won’t be a repeat of the complex thriller format. Instead, it will be a natural progression of Georgekutty’s journey—a move that suggests we may see even more layers of his character unfold.
A Career-Defining Honor
While Mohanlal begins this cinematic chapter, he also steps into one of the proudest moments of his life. After attending the film’s pooja ceremony, he will head to New Delhi to be honored at the 71st National Film Awards, where he will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award—India’s highest recognition in cinema.
By doing so, he is the second Malayali to be bestowed with this honor, preceded by filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. For an industry that has long lived off its artistic prowess but been somewhat eclipsed in mainstream national discourse, this is significant.
Speaking to ANI about the award, Mohanlal’s words were humble yet powerful. “This is a tribute to the Malayalam film industry,” he said. “After 20 years, this award is coming back to the Malayalam film industry. So, I am sharing this award with all the great artists who work with me, who have shaped me, and who have shown beautiful light on my graceful walk in the industry.”
For him, the award is not just personal; it is symbolic of Malayalam cinema’s enduring brilliance.
A Legacy Beyond Borders
Mohanlal’s four-decade-long career is a legend in the making. He has done it all—action masala and violent movies, comedies, and character studies. While Malayalam cinema is his backyard, he has also performed in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi cinema and made his mark across industries.
His shelf of honors is already crowded with four National Film Awards, the Padma Shri, and the Padma Bhushan, among many others. But the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the benchmark that perhaps best captures his journey to the best of his capability. It not only recognizes his stardom fame but also the talent, the artistry, and the dedication he has given to Indian cinema for over 40 years.
Drishyam: A Phenomenon Worldwide
Another remarkable chapter in Mohanlal’s life is the way the Drishyam franchise has crossed borders and connected with people well beyond Kerala.
The film was dubbed into Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, all of which evoked passionate reactions. It even crossed the global border to be remade as a Chinese film—one of the handful of Indian films to have managed this. That is a testament to how much folks across the globe adore Georgekutty’s tale: a man who is motivated by love, fear, and survival.
What Lies Ahead
With Drishyam 3 finally underway, fans will once again enter Georgekutty’s world of moral chaos and high-octane family drama. Though the team has remained tight-lipped about plot points, the fact that Mohanlal is returning to one of his most memorable roles is enough to send expectations sky-high.
And when Mohanlal receives the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the moment is elegant. Just as his character Georgekutty struggles to maintain dignity, so does Mohanlal himself triumph, embodying Malayalam cinema’s pride and determination.
For the viewers, the new episode of Drishyam is unfolding. For Indian cinema, the award for Mohanlal is a reminder that real artistry, when pursued tenaciously with doggedness and ardor, finds a place in history sooner or later.