A line spoken during the rehearsal of the theatrical production in the first half of 'Drishyam 3' might prove decisive for the entire film. The question arises as to who on screen is awake and who has fallen asleep. Vijay Salgaonkar, Tabu, Gaitonde, along with new characters and family, are featured in the movie.
All actors are present, but the anxiety that made the first two parts memorable is absent. Watching the first 'Drishyam' evoked an anticipation: 'What will happen next?'. This time, the feeling often arises: 'Okay, now this will happen,' and then it does. Perhaps this is why after the film ends, the phrase 'Drank alcohol and fell asleep... Phoo!' is what is most remembered, rather than the plot.
The situation in the first 'Drishyam' was different. Vijay Salgaonkar and his family were in trouble; the police were pursuing them, and the audience felt fear alongside them. It seemed that any small detail could reveal the secret. The dates October 2 and 3 were remembered as strongly as the wedding date.
In the second part, the same game continued: what would Vijay do, what would the police do, who would be one step ahead. The brain remained active until the end of the film, and people discussed the plot even after leaving the theater.
Transitioning to the third part brings the thought: 'Drank alcohol and fell asleep... Phoo!'. This is because less anxiety is felt while watching the film this time. In many places, it seems that the plot itself suggests what will happen next. The viewer thinks: 'Now this will happen,' and soon it does. Then comes the thought: 'And the next thing will be like this.' And that also happens.
Thus, in the first 'Drishyam', the question was: 'What will happen next?', whereas in the third, the feeling often arises: 'Okay, now this will happen.' This difference becomes key to the entire film.
Ajay Devgn is in his usual style: the same serious face, the same thoughtfulness in his eyes. However, in Vijay Salgaonkar's silence in the first part, much hidden was felt. It seemed that the man was secretly playing some big game. This time, in many scenes, it seems that Vijay is silent because the scene demands quietness.
Tabu is also present. Her character resembles the old Mira Deshmukh. Gaitonde also participates, reminiscent of Gaitonde from previous films. Ajay Devgn's family is also shown, but strangely, none of these elements evoke such strong memories as in the first two parts.
Jaidip Ahalawat appears, which offers hope. He is a good actor and is noted by his presence. But the tension of the intellectual confrontation between the characters of Tabu and Vijay Ajay Devgn, as in previous parts, is not fully felt here.
It is here again that the phrase 'Drank alcohol and fell asleep... Phoo!' resurfaces. It gives the impression that all the main characters gathered together, each played their role, and then someone said, 'Alright, enough.' This did not happen in the first two 'Drishyam' films; in them, every small detail in the plot mattered: some date, place, lie, or excuse.
This time, many things appear and disappear. After the first film, the plot remained in memory. This time, while watching the film, old movies are often recalled. And this may be the biggest sorrow.
The third part is more reminiscent of the first and second parts than having its own plot. You see Ajay Devgn and recall the first part; you see Tabu and recall the old confrontation; Gaitonde appears and recalls the old interrogation; the family appears and recalls the old fear. But this time there is nothing original that remains in memory after watching.
Only one phrase remains in the head: 'Drank alcohol and fell asleep. Phoo!'. And perhaps this is the greatest sarcasm of this film.
The first 'Drishyam' kept us tense. The second made us think. In the third, we waited for something shocking to happen again. But often you realize what will happen next even before the shocking moment arrives.
The film is not bad. The actors performed well, there are events in the plot, and it holds the viewer until the end. But for a film of the 'Drishyam' level, simply holding attention is not enough. It first connected with us. Now it just leads us forward.
And at the end remains this question: where did the anxiety, the fear, the pleasure of the first two parts go? Perhaps after the first two films, the plot was allowed to relax a bit this time. Where previously every scene had a reason, every character left something, and at every turn it seemed something big was coming, here in many places, people were just waiting.
Looking back after the film ends, it seems that Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Gaitonde, the family, Jaidip Ahalawat—everyone came and went through their scenes. But the essence for which we returned after the first two films was not created. Then the meaning of this phrase becomes clear: 'Drank alcohol and fell asleep... Phoo!'. This time it seems that this phrase was said not by some single character, but by the story itself.