‘Drishyam 3’: Mohanlal Holds Back Tears After Thunderous Audience Response to Georgekutty During FDFS Screening (Watch Viral Video)
Following a thunderous worldwide theatrical opening on May 21, 2026, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal was visibly moved to tears by the overwhelming audience reaction to 'Drishyam 3'. The highly anticipated thriller franchise returned to the big screen on the actor's 66th birthday, capturing the biggest global opening day for a Malayalam film in 2026.
Malayalam cinema superstar Mohanlal was visibly moved to tears following the first-day-first-show (FDFS) screening of his highly anticipated thriller, Drishyam 3. The film, which marked the actor's 66th birthday, opened in theatres worldwide on Thursday, May 21, 2026, to a thunderous reception from audiences. A video capturing the veteran actor wiping away tears amid deafening applause inside a packed cinema hall has since gone viral on social media, underscoring the deep emotional connection between the actor and his iconic character, Georgekutty. Mohanlal Celebrates 66th Birthday at ‘Drishyam 3’ FDFS With Fans, Viral Video Melts Hearts – WATCH.
Mohanlal in Tears During ‘Drishyam 3’ Screening
The emotional moment occurred as the end credits began to roll during the initial morning screening. Mohanlal, who watched the film alongside fans and fellow cast members, was seen attempting to hold back tears as the auditorium erupted into sustained cheers and standing ovations. Visibly overwhelmed by the intense crowd reaction, the actor folded his hands in gratitude toward the audience before wiping his eyes.
Mohanlal Moved to Tears During ‘Drishyam 3’ Screening
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Later in the day, the actor took to social media to express his appreciation for the massive reception. He noted that Drishyam 3 was crafted with "immense love, passion, and gratitude," adding that seeing that affection returned by the audience was deeply moving. "Your reviews, your words, and the emotions you have shared mean far more to me than any number ever can," Mohanlal wrote, thanking fans for embracing Georgekutty and his family as their own.
A Historic Box Office Opening for ‘Drishyam 3’
Despite drawing mixed responses from film critics regarding its pace, Drishyam 3 has converted massive fan anticipation into historic box office numbers. According to early industry tracker data, the film secured the biggest global opening day for a Malayalam film in 2026, grossing an estimated INR 43.37 crore worldwide on Day 1.
In India, the film netted INR 15.85 crore across more than 5,500 shows, driven primarily by the original Malayalam version, which brought in INR 13.70 crore. The film registered an impressive 66.79% average occupancy rate in Kerala, where night and evening shows were completely packed.
Continuing the Georgekutty Legacy
Directed by Jeethu Joseph, Drishyam 3 serves as the third chapter of a landmark suspense franchise that originally began in 2013. The narrative once again reunites Mohanlal with co-stars Meena, Ansiba Hassan, and Esther Anil, tracking the ongoing vulnerabilities of Georgekutty’s family as a persistent investigator threatens to unearth past secrets. ‘Drishyam 3’ X Review: Mohanlal Steals the Show With a Powerhouse Performance, but Jeethu Joseph’s Thriller Fails To Impress Netizens.
While the original film broke long-standing box office records and spawned multiple successful language remakes, including versions in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the second instalment bypassed theatres entirely for a streaming release during the pandemic in 2021. The theatrical rollout of the third chapter marks the franchise's return to the big screen after more than a decade, solidifying its status as one of Indian cinema's most resilient thriller properties.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 22, 2026 05:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
