In an exclusive chat , filmmaker duo Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak opened up about their growing presence in Malayalam cinema, decade-long association with Mohanlal through the Drishyam franchise, and their ambitious plans for Panorama Studios.
The father-son duo revealed that Panorama Studios is making an aggressive push into Malayalam cinema, with six films planned for this year and more than twelve projects lined up for next year. They confirmed that two films have already wrapped shooting, while work on the remaining four is underway. The studio has also finalized directors and actors for several upcoming projects, including a multi-film collaboration with Nivin Pauly.
Abhishek Pathak on working with Mohanlal for over a decade
Speaking about their long-standing collaboration with Mohanlal, Abhishek shared that their journey with the Drishyam franchise has now crossed ten years. He described the Malayalam superstar as humble, grounded, and incredibly warm, adding that the association has been both exciting and creatively fulfilling. He also hinted that more collaborations with Mohanlal are currently under discussion.
What to expect from Drishyam 3
Talking about Drishyam 3, Abhishek said audiences should prepare for an intense and unpredictable experience. He explained that viewers were shocked by the twists in Drishyam 2, but expectations are even higher this time. According to him, the upcoming film will take audiences on a “rollercoaster ride” and leave them stunned by the climax.
Director Jeethu Joseph reportedly spent considerable time developing the conclusion of the film. Abhishek revealed that both he and Jeethu wrote separate drafts before deciding on the final direction. He explained that the core twist must first be cracked before writing the story backwards, which is the unique narrative style of the Drishyam universe.
He also confirmed that while the Malayalam version leans more heavily into emotional family drama, the Hindi adaptation starring Ajay Devgn will follow a distinctly different route. According to Abhishek, the Hindi version is being shaped more as a “family thriller” tailored specifically for Hindi audiences. He promised that the differences between the two versions will become more evident once the trailer releases.
Ajay Devgn and Mohanlal collaboration?
When asked about the possibility of bringing Ajay Devgn and Mohanlal together for a film, Abhishek said anything is possible in the future and hinted that such a collaboration would be massive if it materialises. Kumar Mangat also praised Mohanlal for his humility and warmth, saying he would be extremely happy to see both stars share screen space someday.
Drishyam 3 Hindi release update
Abhishek further revealed that the Hindi version of Drishyam 3 has largely completed shooting, with only some patchwork remaining. The makers are targeting an October 2 release date. He emphasized that the Hindi adaptation has been designed differently from the Malayalam original to suit a wider thriller-oriented audience base.
Panorama Studios’ Malayalam expansion
Discussing their expansion into Malayalam cinema, Kumar Mangat said the studio has carefully studied the Malayalam market and storytelling style before entering the industry in a major way. He added that Panorama Studios has already established a dedicated team in the region and is actively working with actors across all levels, from emerging performers to top stars.