New Delhi, April 23 - Superstar Mohanlal's highly anticipated Drishyam 3 has run into a major hurdle even before its release. The film's OTT rights, expected to be one of the most lucrative deals in Malayalam cinema, are currently on hold due to a legal dispute, creating uncertainty around its digital premiere.

A Clash Over Digital Rights

The controversy centres on streaming giant Amazon Prime Video and the film's producer, Aashirvad Cinemas. Amazon has asserted that it holds exclusive streaming rights to Drishyam 3, citing an earlier agreement signed with the production banner.

According to the platform, the deal includes clauses that either grant it first preference or outright exclusivity for future instalments in the Drishyam franchise. This claim has effectively prevented the producers from exploring fresh OTT offers in the open market.

Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief

The dispute reached the Delhi High Court, which has granted interim relief in favour of Amazon Prime Video. The court's order temporarily restrains the makers from negotiating or finalising any OTT deal with third parties until the matter is resolved.

This development has put the digital rights deal in limbo, halting what could have been (still possible) a record-breaking streaming acquisition. In today's market, where post-theatrical streaming deals are crucial to a film's overall revenue model, this uncertainty can influence both valuation and release timing.

Impact on Theatrical Release?

While the legal battle does not directly affect the film's theatrical release plans, it has significantly delayed clarity on its OTT debut. The Drishyam franchise, helmed by Jeethu Joseph, has historically performed exceptionally well on OTT platforms, making its third instalment a highly sought-after property among streaming services.

Drishyam 3 is scheduled to release on May 21, after being postponed from April 2nd. It is the third instalment in the blockbuster crime suspense thriller franchise, which kicked off in 2013. The second film in the series, Drishyam 2, was a direct digital release via Prime Video in 2021. Meanwhile, the Hindi remake of Drishyam 3, starring Ajay Devgn, is slated for October 2, 2026, release.