Ishita Dutta is celebrating the success of Drishyam: The Conclusion, the third instalment of the popular Hindi crime thriller franchise that has continued to keep audiences invested in the Salgaonkar family’s gripping story. The actress, who plays Anju Salgaonkar, daughter of Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn), recently opened up about the film’s reception, the pressure of delivering a satisfying finale and her incredible journey with the franchise. Looking back at a film series that began over a decade ago, Ishita admitted that she never imagined the story would grow into such a successful trilogy.
Speaking about the response to the third instalment, Ishita said, “It feels wonderful. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this film. When we did the first one, we had no idea it would be so well-received by the audience. Then, years later, came the second, and now the third—the grand finale—which has received so much love. As you mentioned, sequels often struggle to maintain the same standard—they sometimes fall a bit short—but here, I feel like we’ve only reached greater heights. Especially with it being the finale, there was immense curiosity and, naturally, a lot of pressure regarding whether the audience would enjoy it. This time, it’s an original story, and people have really loved it. We are absolutely thrilled and happy!”
One of the biggest talking points around Drishyam: The Conclusion is that it takes the Hindi franchise in a fresh direction instead of simply following the Malayalam version’s storyline. Asked about the film developing its own identity and fan base, Ishita agreed that the original approach made the third part particularly exciting. She said, “Exactly! When we were brought on board for the third film, we learned that it would be a completely different story—a fresh script. We were just as excited as anyone else to see which direction it would take. And I believe the path they chose turned out for the best, because the audience has truly embraced it. I’m still receiving so many messages about the script—it’s such a strong one. I don’t think I’ve heard a single negative review; everyone has loved it.”
For Ishita, the journey began in a surprisingly last-minute fashion. Recalling how she landed the role of Anju in the first film, the actress revealed that she initially knew very little about Drishyam and had no idea how far the story would eventually travel. “Actually, I got a call for an audition. I went, but at the time, I had no idea what Drishyam was. I hadn’t seen the original Malayalam version, so I didn’t know what the script was about. I was the very last person to be cast—literally, I auditioned one day and was called to the set the next! I flew to Goa, and during the narration, as it unfolded, I remember just sitting there, completely gripped—wondering, ‘What’s happening? What’s going on?’ I felt the exact same curiosity that audiences experience when they watch Drishyam. That’s when it hit me: ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be a part of this film—people are going to love it!’ And, of course, it did very well. Back then, we assumed that was the end of it. I truly never imagined there would be a second part, let alone a third. It’s just pure luck that I got to be a part of a film like this.”
Directed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam: The Conclusion features Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Jaideep Ahlawat, Rajat Kapoor, Prakash Raj, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav. Produced by Panorama Studios and Star Studio18, the film brings the Hindi franchise to its grand finale with a story distinct from its Malayalam counterpart. For Ishita, the film’s reception is especially meaningful because she has watched the franchise grow from an unexpected opportunity into a much-loved cinematic journey. And as Anju Salgaonkar, she has been part of that journey from the beginning.