Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3 faces last-minute legal hurdle: Madras High Court approached just before October 2 release, but what’s the dispute?

With Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3 scheduled to hit theatres on October 2, 2026, the much-awaited thriller has encountered a legal challenge at the eleventh hour.

Chennai-based production company Rajkumar Theatres Pvt Ltd, owned by veteran actor-filmmaker Sripriya and her husband Rajkumar Sethupathy, has approached the Madras High Court over the worldwide theatrical release and distribution of the Hindi film.

The production house has sought to restrain the film’s worldwide distribution and exploitation, alleging that releasing the Hindi version without its authorisation would infringe rights it claims to hold in relation to adaptations of Drishyam.

Importantly, these are claims made by Rajkumar Theatres in the legal proceedings and should not be treated as findings of infringement by the court.

What is the dispute surrounding Drishyam 3?

At the heart of the case is Rajkumar Theatres’ claim that it holds a first right of refusal for Indian remakes or adaptations of Drishyam.

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Rajkumar Sethupathy has said that the first two Hindi films were made after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the company. According to him, the production house was not offered the claimed first right of refusal for the third Hindi instalment.

The company has also raised concerns over possible Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions of the Hindi film being made available on OTT platforms.

Rajkumar Theatres says it has approached the court seeking compensation connected with rights it says are contractually owed to it.

Madras High Court takes up the matter

The dispute came before the Madras High Court for an urgent hearing on September 29.

According to reports, the court adjourned the proceedings until October 1, giving the film’s makers time to submit their counter-affidavits.

The timing makes the case particularly significant, as the film’s announced theatrical release is October 2.

The legal proceedings therefore place the adaptation and distribution rights surrounding the film under scrutiny just as it prepares for its theatrical rollout.

Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar

Away from the legal dispute, Ajay Devgn is returning as Vijay Salgaonkar, one of the actor’s most recognisable thriller characters.

The upcoming film is positioned as the concluding chapter of the Hindi franchise, with Tabu and Shriya Saran among the familiar faces returning. Jaideep Ahlawat is also part of the new instalment.

The Hindi franchise began with Drishyam in 2015, followed by Drishyam 2 in 2022.

Legal challenge arrives at a crucial moment

The dispute could hardly have surfaced at a more important time for the film.

With the October 2 theatrical date approaching, attention is now divided between Vijay Salgaonkar’s return to the big screen and the proceedings before the Madras High Court.

For now, the central question is not about what Vijay Salgaonkar has planned next but how the rights dispute surrounding Drishyam 3 develops as its theatrical release arrives.