Jeethu Joseph’s Drishyam 3 has found itself in the middle of an unexpected legal and business row just as the film moves toward release. Amazon Seller Services has put out a public notice saying it holds the sole and exclusive digital rights to the Malayalam thriller under its existing agreements with Aashirvad Cinemas, and that no other party has the authority to sell or license those rights. The warning also makes it clear that any attempt to deal with the film’s digital rights outside Amazon’s claim could invite legal action.
Amazon is saying it controls the film’s online life after theatres, whether that is subscription streaming, rental viewing, ad-supported viewing, free streaming, or digital purchase. The company’s notice is meant to prevent any separate OTT arrangement from being made for the film by the production house or anyone acting on its behalf.
The timing has made the story even more talked about. Drishyam 3 was earlier slated for an April 2 release, but Mohanlal later confirmed that the film will now hit cinemas worldwide on May 21, which also falls on his birthday. Reports have also noted that the delay was linked to the broader situation in the Gulf region, while the franchise returns with Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan and Esther Anil in familiar roles.
Online, the notice has already stirred conversation. Coverage of the post says it went viral and sparked debate among fans and industry watchers, with some reading it as Amazon firmly protecting a major investment and others questioning why such a public warning was needed at all. The controversy has only added more attention to a film that was already among the most awaited Malayalam releases of the year.
Drishyam 3 is being positioned as the final chapter in the franchise, with Jeethu Joseph and producer Antony Perumbavoor having moved ahead after detailed discussions. That makes the rights dispute more sensitive, because the film is not just another sequel, it is being treated as the closing act of one of Malayalam cinema’s most successful suspense series.
