Drishyam: The Conclusion

Because somewhere along the way, we have completely accepted the Salgaonkars as our people. Yes, we know Vijay has done something wrong and, technically, he should face the law. But director Abhishek Pathak makes us look at the story from Vijay's side. We are not sitting in the theatre hoping the police win. We are waiting to see how Vijay gets out of the next situation.

Tabu returns as Meera Deshmukh, and this time her frustration has reached another level. She hasn't been able to get Vijay punished, and that anger turns personal. She wants revenge.

Enter the SP Crime Branch, played by Jaideep Ahlawat. And this is not simply the presence of an actor. This is the presence of a star. Every time he appears on screen, there is an authority and intensity that immediately changes the atmosphere.

Prakash Raj, as the lawyer taking on the Salgaonkar family, is phenomenal. He brings tremendous weight to every scene, and watching these characters play their respective games keeps the drama alive. He is a big shot lawyer but he too cannot catch up with Vijay — that was a bit easy, but we will let that pass.

Kamlesh Sawant continues as Gaitonde, and the impact of his character is such that every time he walks in and says something to Vijay, you find yourself getting angry. His character makes you angry — and that's a compliment to the actor. He does a terrific job.

Then there is the core cast. Tabu's intensity, Shriya Saran's vulnerability and Ajay Devgn's impact, stardom and everything that comes with an Ajay Devgn performance work wonderfully for this film. Devgn knows exactly how much Vijay needs to say and how much he needs to hold back.

What deserves huge credit is director Abhishek Pathak, who has taken a story and a franchise that audiences already know and had the courage to take it in a direction that you may not expect. That's how you take a franchise forward.

The film is built on drama, tension and manipulation. You know what is coming — Vijay will try to hide something, the police will try to uncover it, the lawyers will try to prove him guilty. But it is how Vijay plays the game that keeps you hooked.

And every time the Salgaonkars manage to outsmart the cops, the audience in the theatre starts clapping. That tells you something important. There is an emotional and sentimental connection between Vijay Salgaonkar and the audience. We may know he is manipulating the system, but we are still sitting there hoping he succeeds.

Technically, the film is strong too. The background score, editing, production design, cinematography and music all contribute to keeping the tension alive. Nothing feels like it is there simply for the sake of it.

Drishyam: The Conclusion was announced as the conclusion, but considering the audience response and the numbers it is already generating, I wouldn't be surprised if conversations about the future of this franchise begin again.

What works here is simple: drama, drama and more drama. This is pure entertainment, executed with confidence. The way Abhishek Pathak, who has also written the film, takes a familiar story and finds new ways to keep you invested is commendable.

Four stars for Drishyam: The Conclusion. Go watch it in a theatre this weekend.