Mohanlal was recently seen headlining the crime thriller Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph. While the film continues its theatrical run, the veteran actor recently reflected on the COVID-era decision to release Drishyam 2 directly on OTT and why several films made during that period later struggled in cinemas.
Mohanlal on OTT-era films and theatrical failures
Speaking to Reporter TV, Mohanlal shared that Drishyam 2 played a major role in expanding the reach of Malayalam cinema beyond Kerala. He revealed that people from different parts of India, including Bihar, often approach him asking about Drishyam 3. According to the actor, many viewers preferred watching the original Malayalam version with subtitles rather than dubbed editions.
Reflecting on the direct OTT release of the sequel, Mohanlal clarified that the decision was not planned from the beginning. He explained that during the pandemic, filmmakers had two options — either stop making films entirely or continue working so that thousands of people dependent on the industry could survive financially.
The actor pointed out that many technicians and workers had families to support, which motivated filmmakers to continue projects for OTT platforms despite the uncertainty surrounding theatrical releases. Mohanlal revealed that he acted in nearly seven films during the COVID period, possibly more than any other actor at the time.
However, he admitted that several projects initially designed for OTT viewing later received theatrical releases and failed to perform well at the box office. According to him, those films were made under completely different circumstances and audience expectations changed significantly once theatres reopened.
More about Drishyam 3
Drishyam 3 continues the story after the events of Drishyam 2, following Georgekutty as he lives a seemingly peaceful life as a theatre owner and film producer. Inspired by incidents from his own life, he creates a movie titled Drishyam, which unexpectedly draws public attention because of its resemblance to his family’s dark past.
As curiosity grows among the public and media, Georgekutty once again finds himself under immense pressure, fearing that the secret he has protected for years may finally come out. The psychological tension intensifies as he struggles to safeguard his family while dealing with increasing scrutiny.
Apart from Mohanlal, the film also stars Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Siddique, Asha Sarath, and Santhi Mayadevi in key roles.
