Drishyam 3 Review: Ajay Devgn Returns, But the Finale Lacks Impact

Drishyam 3: The Conclusion brings Ajay Devgn back as Vijay Salgaonkar, the man who has built his entire world around protecting his family. Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the film features Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, Prakash Raj, Kamlesh Sawant, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav in important roles.

The third instalment picks up from the events of the previous films and once again places Vijay in a battle of wits with the authorities. With Nandini and his daughters at stake, he is forced to think several steps ahead to keep his family out of danger.

The film gets into the central conflict quickly and maintains a brisk pace. There are few moments where the narrative feels unnecessarily stretched, and the screenplay regularly introduces new complications to keep the audience wondering how Vijay will find his way out.

What Works

The biggest positive is the film’s ability to hold attention. Even when you can anticipate the broad direction of the story, the screenplay keeps the tension alive by focusing on Vijay’s next move.

The dialogues are another strong point. They are crisp, witty and occasionally provide welcome humour amid the otherwise tense proceedings. Kamlesh Sawant’s Gaitonde gets some of the most entertaining lines, and his comic timing works particularly well.

The film also stays true to Vijay’s character. He remains calm, calculated and completely focused on his family. Ajay Devgn plays him with restraint, using expressions, silences and body language instead of relying heavily on dialogue. That understated approach suits the character.

Performances

Ajay Devgn delivers a controlled performance as Vijay. Even when the situation around him becomes increasingly complicated, he maintains the composed demeanour that has become central to the character.

Jaideep Ahlawat stands out as an intelligent and observant adversary who is determined to figure out Vijay’s strategy. His intensity gives the cat-and-mouse portions of the film additional weight.

Prakash Raj is equally effective and commands attention whenever he appears. His courtroom scenes and interactions with the other characters add some of the film’s strongest dramatic moments.

Shriya Saran, Tabu and Rajat Kapoor are dependable in their respective parts, while Kamlesh Sawant provides some much-needed comic relief as Gaitonde.

Where the Film Falls Short

The problem is that Drishyam 3 rarely feels genuinely unpredictable. Viewers who have followed the earlier films closely may be able to anticipate several developments before they happen.

There is also a noticeable sense of repetition. The familiar combination of family, Vijay’s elaborate planning and the continuing pursuit by the authorities remains at the heart of the story.

That formula has worked for the franchise, but the final instalment could have benefited from taking greater risks. With the film positioned as the conclusion to Vijay Salgaonkar’s story, a more unexpected turn or a significantly different conflict might have given the finale greater impact.

Instead, the film opts for a relatively safe route. The conclusion fits the world established by the franchise, but it does not always deliver the sense of scale or surprise one might expect from a final chapter.

Verdict

Drishyam 3: The Conclusion is an engaging thriller with a brisk screenplay and several strong performances. Ajay Devgn remains convincing as Vijay Salgaonkar, while Jaideep Ahlawat, Prakash Raj and Kamlesh Sawant add plenty to the proceedings.

However, the film stays too close to the formula established by its predecessors. It is gripping without being particularly surprising and entertaining without delivering the kind of dramatic payoff that could have made the conclusion truly stand out.

For fans of the franchise, Vijay’s final battle offers enough suspense and familiar appeal. But as a farewell to one of Bollywood’s most recognisable thriller characters, Drishyam 3 feels more like a safe ending than an unforgettable one.