The final chapter of Vijay Salgaonkar’s story is creating extraordinary pre-release demand, with advance sales already moving ahead of Drishyam 2
Ajay Devgn is set to return as Vijay Salgaonkar, and audiences appear more than ready to watch the character face what could be his toughest battle yet.
Directed by Abhishek Pathak and featuring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran and Jaideep Ahlawat, the thriller will hit cinemas on October 2, 2026. The film opened its advance booking on September 27, giving it only a handful of days to build momentum before release. Yet, the response has already moved well beyond early expectations.
According to the KBP REVIEW, Drishyam The Conclusion has sold around 55,000 tickets across PVR, INOX and Cinepolis as of Monday afternoon. The pace puts the film on course to potentially deliver one of the biggest advance-booking performances of Ajay Devgn’s career.
The excitement also extends beyond the three major national chains. Several non-national exhibitors are reporting healthy demand, suggesting that the franchise has built strong interest across both multiplex and single screen markets.
₹50 Crore Opening Comes Into Focus
The current pre-sales trend has pushed trade expectations into blockbuster territory. If the film maintains its current pace through September 30 and October 1, Drishyam The Conclusion could open in the ₹50 crore range, while exceptionally strong last minute sales could take the opening towards ₹60 crore.
Such a start would create a new benchmark for Ajay Devgn. Singham Again currently stands as his biggest opening, with the film collecting approximately ₹43.7 crore on Day 1.
A ₹50 crore plus opening would therefore give Ajay a new career best start.
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Drishyam 3 vs Drishyam 2: The Advance Gap Is Growing
The franchise’s growth becomes clearer when we compare the current performance with Drishyam 2. The 2022 sequel ended its opening-day advance at around ₹6.50 crore net, while the film sold more than 1.21 lakh tickets across national chains for its opening weekend.
That performance already established Drishyam as the strongest theatrical thriller brands in Hindi cinema. The Conclusion is now moving at a considerably faster pace.
The third instalment had generated ₹9.38 crore in pre-sales across two show dates, with approximately 2.39 lakh tickets sold across 12,469 screenings. The report also highlighted the film had moved ahead of Drishyam 2 on several advance-booking parameters..
Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR And UP Drive Demand
Maharashtra currently leads the national race, with Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh also contributing heavily. Mumbai has emerged as the strongest centres, while Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru and other major cities continue to add substantial numbers.
The film will release in Hindi, with 2D shows accounting for virtually all tracked bookings so far. As Reports, the film had crossed ₹7.39 crore in advance bookings, with 1,80,056 tickets sold across 7,527 shows, 1,037 theatres and 310 cities in its September 28 update.
Why Has Drishyam Created Such A Strong Pre-Release Wave?
Drishyam itself has become a powerful theatrical brand. The first film did not immediately become the massive box-office success that its current reputation might suggest. However, television, streaming and repeated viewings transformed Vijay Salgaonkar into one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable thriller characters.
The sequel proved that audiences still wanted to follow the Salgaonkar family, particularly because the story continued to build on the deception established in the first film.
Now, the word “Conclusion” gives the franchise another advantage. The makers are presenting this film as the final chapter of Vijay’s battle, creating a sense of urgency among viewers who want to know how the story ultimately ends.
Jaideep Ahlawat Raises The Stakes
The arrival of Jaideep Ahlawat has added another major talking point to the film. The actor joined the project only days before filming after Akshaye Khanna exited.
Director Abhishek Pathak then reportedly reshaped the character around Ahlawat. Ahlawat plays SP Crime Branch Rajveer Singh Tomar, a new opponent who brings a completely different level of pressure into Vijay’s world.
The change also allows the makers to expand the franchise… The question this time is not merely whether Vijay can stay ahead of the police. Can he survive the most powerful investigation he has ever faced? That central conflict could determine whether The Conclusion feels like a genuine finale or simply another chapter.
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The October 2 Holiday Gives The Film Another Advantage
The release date could hardly be more favourable. Drishyam The Conclusion arrives on October 2, giving the film a national holiday and an extended opening window. The combination of a major franchise, Ajay Devgn’s returning character and a holiday launch creates ideal conditions for strong footfalls from the very first show.
Advance Booking Guarantees The Opening – Word Of Mouth Decides The Run, A massive advance can virtually lock in a big opening, but it cannot guarantee a long theatrical run.
Once the first shows begin, audience reactions will become the most important factor. If Abhishek Pathak delivers the suspense, emotional payoff and satisfying conclusion that viewers expect from the franchise, the film could convert its huge pre-sales into a major box-office run.
Drishyam The Conclusion releases in cinemas on October 2, 2026.
