Drishyam 3 hit theatres on October 2, 2026, and its opening began hours early with post-midnight shows playing to packed houses.

Cinemas started screenings from 12:35 AM on October 1 itself. Maxus Cinema in Bhayander scheduled six shows through the night — at 12:35, 1:05, 2:05, 3:05, 4:05 and 5:05 AM.

Ticket prices for these shows were set at premium levels, benchmarked against blockbusters like Spider-Man and Dhurandhar. Exhibitors are betting on the franchise's loyal audience to pay more.

Advance bookings were strong. The film collected Rs 22.10 crore in India and Rs 24.98 crore worldwide in pre-sales, signalling a big opening weekend.

The Drishyam franchise, built on the Ajay Devgn-led thrillers, has one of Bollywood's most dependable fan bases. Each instalment has outgrossed the last.

Trade analysts say the post-midnight strategy is becoming standard for major releases. It lets theatres capture opening-day records while building word of mouth before morning.

Early audience reactions on social media have been enthusiastic, with viewers praising the film's twists. Official box office numbers for the opening day are expected soon.