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Entertainment
The global box office has witnessed a historic milestone as Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal returns to his most celebrated role. Written and directed by Jeethu Joseph, the highly anticipated crime thriller Drishyam 3 has officially breached the ?150 crore ($18 million USD) mark worldwide, accomplishing the feat in just five days of its theatrical run. Released globally on May 21, 2026, the film serves as the direct continuation of Georgekutty’s high-stakes narrative. Despite drawing varied early reactions from critics and audiences regarding its pacing, the project has established an ironclad grip on both domestic and international markets, reinforcing the commercial viability of regional Indian cinema on the global stage.
According to institutional trade data and tracking estimates provided by industry tracker Sacnilk, Drishyam 3 accumulated approximately ?156.14 crore in worldwide gross earnings by the conclusion of its first consecutive Monday. The analytical breakdown reveals a highly profitable distribution network: domestic gross collections within India reached ?71.74 crore (netting ?61.80 crore), while overseas territories yielded an exceptional ?84.40 crore. Trade analysts observed a standard 50% drop from opening-day figures on Monday—collecting ?8.51 crore gross—which indicates a remarkably stable stabilization trajectory for a theatrical release navigating its initial post-weekend transition.
The phenomenal performance of Drishyam 3 elevates Mohanlal into unprecedented territory within the Malayalam film industry. He stands alone as the only actor from the state to deliver three separate cinematic projects that have crossed the ?150 crore threshold globally, following the massive commercial successes of Thudarum and L2: Empuraan. Crucially, international markets contributed over 54% of the film's total gross income, showcasing the extensive and growing demand of the South Asian diaspora. Within its brief release window, the thriller has already moved into the list of the top ten highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time, surpassing notable recent blockbusters like Aavesham.
As Drishyam 3 advances through its first full week in theaters, current momentum suggests a highly optimistic economic outlook. Entertainment industry analysts project that if the film sustains its current daily theater occupancy levels across major metropolitan regions, the threequel is on track to comfortably enter the prestigious ?200 crore club by its second weekend. With minimal major competition scheduled in the immediate pipeline, the production's strategic combination of established intellectual property, a dedicated fanbase, and strong overseas distribution guarantees that Drishyam 3 will remain a defining case study for box office success in 2026.
