Jeethu Joseph opens up about Mirage’s criticism, the expectations around Drishyam 3, and his organic approach to storytelling. He also shares insights on working with Mohanlal and the status of the Hindi remake
L-Jeethu Joseph; R- Still from Drishyam
Filmmaker Jeethu Joseph has a knack for creating cinematic universes that linger long after the credits roll. From Drishyam’s ingenious storytelling to Mirage’s layered mystery, his films are known for their slow-burning tension and emotional depth. Yet, as he reflects on the audience’s reactions to Mirage, Jeethu offers a candid perspective on predictability and perception.
“Many people said that Mirage was predictable, that there were too many twists. But when a film has only four or five characters, the audience tends to imagine several possibilities. If one of those turns out to be true, they feel they predicted it,” Jeethu smiles. “I tell such people to follow the subject, not to play a guessing game. Those who simply follow the story, without trying to predict, have truly felt the film’s impact.”
On what to expect from Drishyam 3
After the massive success of Drishyam and Drishyam 2, expectations around Drishyam 3 are naturally sky-high. Jeethu, however, remains grounded and focused on storytelling rather than spectacle.
“I don’t make Drishyam for its twists. The story has to grow organically,” he explains. “The second part took place six years after the first and showed how the family, the police, and the case evolved. In Drishyam 3, we continue exploring what happens to each of these characters as time passes. Georgekutty is getting older — is he as confident as before? That’s what I’m interested in.”
The filmmaker recalls an online comment made after he announced completing the script for Drishyam 3:
“Someone wrote that it should be better than the extraordinary Drishyam 2. I replied that I’m not making Drishyam 3 to beat Drishyam 2 — I’m making it to tell what’s happening with Georgekutty’s family. Their life could go in many directions; I’ve chosen one and followed that.”
For Jeethu, the Drishyam world is not just a story, but a space filled with memories- both cinematic and personal. “Thodupuzha is close to my native place. My first film Detective was shot there, and even Life of Josutty has small connections to it. The region’s greenery and rain always bring a certain mood to my films,” he shares.
“The Drishyam house is in a place called Vazhithala. Now, when I visit, it feels like going home. People recognize it as the Drishyam house and often come to click photos.”
On working with Mohanlal
Ask him about Mohanlal, and Jeethu’s admiration is immediate. “He’s a born actor, but more importantly, a director’s actor. He’ll share his opinions, but if the director insists on something, he’ll go along with that vision — even if he knows he’s right. That’s one of his best qualities. He’s incredibly easy to work with.”
About Drishyam 3’s progress and the Hindi remake
While excitement builds around the next chapter, Jeethu clarifies that the Drishyam 3 shoot is still underway. “There’s no fixed timeline yet. Once the shoot is over, we’ll decide on the release date.”
As for the Hindi version, he puts an end to swirling rumours, “The Hindi makers told us they were receiving a lot of stories, but they waited when I said I was working on one. I gave them our script translated in English. The rest is just speculation. They plan to start shooting in December. They hold the rights, and release decisions are individual. They’ve requested a simultaneous release, as it could affect their revenue if the Malayalam version comes first. Discussions are still on.”
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