Drishyam and Mirage maker Jeethu Joseph on remakes: It’s a very boring process, but…

There is no escaping discussions surrounding the hit thriller Drishyam for filmmaker Jeethu Joseph, even when he is promoting a totally different and unrelated film. On September 19, Jeethu will have a film called Mirage in theatres, which reunites him with Kooman star Asif Ali. The film also stars Aparna Balamurali, who, in turn joins her Kishkindha Kaandam co-star. Jeethu has been doing a barrage of interviews and every single one has him talking not only about the upcoming third instalment of Drishyam, but the earlier ones too.

In the Galatta Plus interview, for instance, the filmmaker was asked about his take on remakes, since he’s directed Drishyam in Tamil as Papanasam with Kamal Haasan, and Drishyam 2 in Telugu as Drushyam 2 with Venkatesh. His only Hindi film to date is also a remake, The Body, which was based on a Spanish movie of the same name. As far as his own films go, Jeethu says that in the Telugu version, he was asked not to change anything at all.

This process, he says, is actually very boring for him, but the silver lining was that he got to work with Kamal in Tamil and later got the opportunity to understand the Telugu film industry with Drushyam 2. “To be frank, it is boring, because there is no creativity. In fact, after The Body, I decided that I will not remake other films. I’m okay doing it with my own films,” he said.

Also read: Mirage director Jeethu Joseph: If I’d known how successful Drishyam would be, I would have… 

While the Christian background of the protagonist and his family in Drishyam was not replicated in any of the other versions, Jeethu adds that other changes are more superficial, done to suit the nativity of the place. The Tamil version did not get a sequel, although Kamal was approached by the producers. Making part 2 with another actor is not an option, reckons Jeethu, adding that Papanasam 2 is definitely not on the cards.

FAQs

Q. How many movies has Jeethu Joseph directed?

Jeethu Joseph has directed over 18 films, including Drishyam, 12th Man, Neru, and My Boss, among others.

Q. Is there going to be Drishyam 3?

Yes, Drishyam 3 is happening, Jeethu Joseph and Mohanlal had confirmed.

Q. Is the Drishyam 3 shooting started?

Drishyam 3 shooting will start in October 2025.

Q. Is Drishyam 3 cast?

Drishyam 3 cast includes actors Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, and Esther Anil