Drishyam 3’s Dream Run Hits a Speed Bump
Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph’s Drishyam 3 has been unstoppable since its release, crossing milestone after milestone. But now, the mystery thriller has finally met its first serious challenger. Antony Varghese’s Kattalan arrived in theatres and immediately grabbed the attention of action fans, slowing down the momentum of the reigning blockbuster.
On Day 9, Drishyam 3 collected Rs 4.30 crore net across 2,524 shows. That’s a 35.3 percent drop from its Day 8 collection of Rs 6.65 crore. Even with the slowdown, the film remains in a strong position. Its total India gross has reached Rs 100.08 crore, while the India net stands at Rs 86.25 crore. Overseas, the film added another Rs 6 crore on Day 9, taking the overseas total to Rs 109 crore. The worldwide gross now stands at an impressive Rs 209.08 crore.
Industry sources suggest that Drishyam 3 will likely collect between Rs 3.5 crore and Rs 4.2 crore net on its tenth day. The arrival of Kattalan has split the audience base, with families still backing Mohanlal’s thriller while younger viewers flock to the new actioner.
Kattalan: The New Challenger in Town
Antony Varghese’s Kattalan opened on a promising note with Rs 3.80 crore net from 3,358 shows on its first day. The India gross is Rs 4.37 crore. The Malayalam version led the charge with Rs 3.25 crore net and an impressive 48 percent occupancy across 1,428 shows. The film also collected from other languages: Rs 0.28 crore in Hindi, Rs 0.20 crore in Telugu, Rs 0.05 crore in Tamil, and Rs 0.02 crore in Kannada.
Directed by Paul George, Kattalan is an action thriller set in the rugged forests of Aanakolli near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The story revolves around a dangerous ivory smuggling network, exploring cartel wars, survival, and power struggles in a lawless landscape. One unique talking point: the film reportedly uses real elephants instead of CGI for several key sequences, which has generated additional buzz.
Kattalan also benefits from being connected to the Marco cinematic universe. The earlier film Marco gained massive popularity for its brutal action and violent storytelling, creating a dedicated fan base. Many viewers believe Kattalan contains subtle hints that could lead to a Marco sequel, further fueling audience curiosity.
What’s Next for Both Films?
The cast of Kattalan includes Antony Varghese in the lead, Sunil as the antagonist Maari, Kabir Duhan Singh as Eddy, and supporting roles from Dushara Vijayan, Jagadish, and Siddique. The film has struck a chord with younger audiences and action lovers, creating a different market segment from the family-driven audience of Drishyam 3.
It’s too early to say that Drishyam 3‘s blockbuster run is over. The film still has strong word of mouth and an incredible overseas performance. But Kattalan has definitely emerged as its first serious box office challenger. The next weekend will reveal whether Antony Varghese’s action entertainer can sustain its pace and truly break the streak of Mohanlal’s phenomenal run.
For now, both films are giving Malayalam cinema fans plenty to cheer about. Drishyam 3 continues to collect worldwide, while Kattalan has announced itself as a worthy competitor. Ab dekhte hain kaun jeetta hai weekend ka box office battle!