Drishyam 3 opened at ₹65 crore — and the numbers aren’t slowing down. That’s not just a record for Ajay Devgn. It’s a seismic shift in Hindi cinema’s opening-day math. According to very early estimates from Bollywood Hungama, the film landed between ₹63 crore and ₹66 crore on its opening day, making it the biggest opener of his career and one of the highest-grossing single-day debuts in Hindi film history. The national multiplex chains, PVRInox and Cinepolis, reported record occupancy, with several locations hitting capacity limits. Some theatres even ran out of seats, a rare sight in an era where screens often sit half-empty. The delay in release time, starting at 9 AM, may have cost the film a few extra crores. Early morning shows could have pushed the total toward ₹70 crore had they begun earlier. But even with the late launch, the momentum is undeniable. This isn’t just a strong opener. It’s a reset. A franchise that began as a regional thriller in Malayalam has now become the biggest Indian cinematic event of 2026. And it’s only Thursday. Bollywood Hungama says the first weekend could hit ₹200 crore. With a bare minimum of ₹180 crore already locked in. The real question isn’t whether Drishyam 3 will cross ₹500 crore. It’s whether any film this year can match its trajectory. The competition? Already folded. Udta Teer was delayed to October 23, not because of scheduling quirks, but because the makers saw what was coming. They didn’t want to be the second act in a story already written. The third chapter isn’t just a sequel. It’s a cultural moment. And the box office hasn’t seen anything like it since Enthiran. Not even close. The film is carrying tremendous reports and is set for a long theatrical run. If present buzz is anything to go by, Drishyam 3 is on track to hit the Rs. 500 crore club, which is exceptional to say the least. It’s also poised to become the first film in Ajay Devgn’s career to enter that milestone. The third chapter has also established itself as one of the biggest and most successful franchises in Indian cinema. The Abhishek Pathak-directed thriller is now the benchmark. Not just for sequels, but for what a homegrown blockbuster can do when every piece clicks.