Mohanlal Says Drishyam 2 Was Not Planned As OTT Strategy: ‘COVID Forced Us To Make Choices’

Mohanlal is currently seen headlining Drishyam 3, the latest instalment in Jeethu Joseph’s popular crime thriller franchise. While the film continues its theatrical run, the Malayalam superstar recently reflected on the franchise’s OTT journey, particularly the decision to release Drishyam 2 directly on a streaming platform during the pandemic. He also spoke about why some films that were originally designed for OTT did not work when later released in theatres.

Mohanlal On Drishyam 2’s Direct OTT Release

In a conversation with Reporter TV, Mohanlal said that Drishyam 2 played a major role in taking Malayalam cinema to audiences beyond Kerala. According to him, the film’s reach was not limited to the franchise alone, but also helped viewers across

the country connect more deeply with Malayalam films.

He said, “One of the films that helped Malayalam cinema itself gain recognition outside Kerala was Drishyam 2, not just the Drishyam franchise. People from places as far as Bihar have come up to me and asked when Drishyam 3 is coming out. All of them had watched Drishyam in Malayalam itself. They prefer watching the original film with subtitles.”

Mohanlal added that releasing Drishyam 2 directly on OTT was not a carefully planned strategy, but a decision shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that the team continued making films during that time because many people in the industry depended on those projects for work.

He said, “Releasing Drishyam 2 directly on OTT was not a deliberate decision. During the COVID period, we could have chosen not to make films at all. But then, many people who worked with us would struggle without jobs, many with families. We did not want that to happen. That is why we made films for OTT platforms.”

Mohanlal Says Some OTT-Designed Films Failed In Theatres

The actor further revealed that he worked on several films during the pandemic, many of which were originally created with streaming platforms in mind. However, when some of those films later reached theatres, they did not perform well.

Mohanlal said, “During the COVID period, I acted in around seven films, probably the highest by any actor at the time. Some films that were made for OTT later got theatrical releases, but many of them did not perform well.”

His comment points to the difference between films conceived for home viewing and those designed for the big-screen experience, a debate that has remained active since theatres reopened after the pandemic.

About Drishyam 3

Drishyam 3 takes place after the events of Drishyam 2. Georgekutty is now living as a theatre owner and film producer. Drawing from his family’s own past, he makes a film titled Drishyam, which soon becomes a major talking point.

As Georgekutty and his family try to return to ordinary life, the film within the film begins attracting uncomfortable attention. People start noticing similarities between Georgekutty’s fictional story and his real life, threatening to bring buried secrets back into the open.

With both traditional media and social media turning their gaze towards him, Georgekutty’s carefully protected world begins to crack. The film follows whether he can once again protect his family, survive the mounting pressure and deal with the emotional cost of his choices.

Directed by Jeethu Joseph, Drishyam 3 stars Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Siddique, Asha Sarath, Santhi Mayadevi, Veena Nandakumar and others in key roles.