Mohanlal, the revered Malayalam cinema icon, announced on Thursday that he will team up once again with director Jeethu Joseph for “Drishyam 3,” the next chapter in their acclaimed crime thriller series. The news, shared via the actor’s official X account, has stirred anticipation among fans of the franchise, which had redefined suspense in Indian cinema. “The Past Never Stays Silent. Drishyam 3 Confirmed! #Drishyam3,” Mohanlal posted, hinting at unresolved shadows from the previous films.

The “Drishyam” saga began in 2013 with Georgekutty, a cunning everyman portrayed by Mohanlal, whose family becomes entangled in a murder cover-up after a confrontation with the police inspector general’s son. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor under Aashirvad Cinemas, the original film was a sleeper hit, blending taut storytelling with moral ambiguity. Its 2022 sequel, “Drishyam 2,” deepened the intrigue, leaving audiences on a cliffhanger and cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.

The franchise’s success has rippled beyond Kerala, inspiring remakes in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Mandarin, and Sinhalese—an uncommon feat for a regional Indian film. Mohanlal, fresh off his upcoming release “L2: Empuraan,” remains the linchpin of the series, his portrayal of Georgekutty lauded for its understated intensity. Joseph, the architect of this labyrinthine tale, has yet to reveal plot details, but the promise of a third installment suggests further twists in a narrative that thrives on deception and survival. For now, the announcement alone has reignited fervor for a story that refuses to fade quietly.