Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 2
The concluding chapter of Drishyam 3 (Malayalam) has premiered in theaters globally. Starring Mohanlal, the franchise makes its return to cinema screens. The follow-up to Drishyam was initially released on Prime Video due to the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was subsequently adapted into Hindi, featuring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and others. Abhishek Pathak took on the role of remaking the Jeethu Joseph directorial. Now, with Drishyam 3 debuting in theaters, Zoom engaged with Pathak regarding the obstacles he encountered while transforming the Malayalam blockbuster sequel for a Hindi audience. The first installment of Drishyam in Hindi was helmed by the late Nishikant Kamath.
Abhishek Pathak on adapting Drishyam 2 Malayalam for Hindi audience
Akshaye Khanna with Abhishek Pathak
In a special interview with Zoom, Abhishek mentioned that he did not perceive the adaptation as a challenge. “When I viewed the Malayalam version, I appreciated its essence, but aligning it with the preferences of our audience required considerable time to comprehend and implement. It took me nearly a year and a half.”
Abhishek Pathak reveals reason for Akshaye Khanna’s track in Hindi Drishyam 2
He further explained that to cater to the tastes and sensibilities of the Hindi audience, he needed to omit certain elements and subplots from the Malayalam . “I had to remove some content from the Malayalam version and incorporate my own ideas. When comparing Drishyam 2 Malayalam with my Hindi adaptation, there are numerous distinct perspectives. Akshaye Khanna’s storyline was absent. They included a police character, but I aimed to create a different approach. Additional scenes were introduced to enhance the intensity. The primary challenge was the duration required to craft the screenplay. I was granted the freedom to take my time with the script.”
Abhishek Pathak on expansion in Malayalam cinema
Discussing his foray into Malayalam cinema and supporting Drishyam 3, Abhishek remarked, “Bollywood is our primary domain. The Malayalam industry genuinely excites us. The appreciation for the content produced, particularly in Malayalam, motivated me to create work in this space as well. That’s when I decided to establish a presence in Kerala, set up a studio, and began collaborating with writers, directors, and others. I believe this is experimental cinema. That’s the direction I prefer to pursue with our films.”
About Drishyam 3 Malayalam
Mohanlal reprises his role as Georgekutty. Drishyam 3 continues immediately after the events of the sequel. According to initial reports, the film is expected to be available for streaming on Prime Video by late June or early July.
