Drishyam 2: The Resumption is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language crime drama film written and directed by Jeethu Joseph. It was produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas. A sequel to the 2013 film Drishyam and second instalment in the Drishyam film series, the film stars Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sharath, Murali Gopy, and Siddique.
Jeethu Joseph wrote the script for Drishyam 2 during a pause in production for his other film Ram, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was officially announced on 21 May 2020, coinciding with Mohanlal's 60th birthday. Principal photography began on 21 September 2020 and wrapped on 6 November 2020, following strict safety protocols. The film was shot over 46 days, primarily in and around Thodupuzha, retaining the same locations used in the first film, with additional scenes shot in Kochi. Anil Johnson composed the music and film score, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Satheesh Kurup and V. S. Vinayak, respectively.
Originally intended for a theatrical release, the producers later opted to release the film through the streaming service Amazon Prime Video. Drishyam 2 was released worldwide on 19 February 2021. Like its predecessor, it received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for its narrative and performance, particularly Mohanlal's. It was scheduled for a theatrical rerelease on 10 April 2026, several years after its initial direct-to-video premiere.
The third instalment in the franchise Drishyam 3 was released on 21 May 2026.
Plot
In the early morning of 4 August 2013, a man named Jose George goes on the run after murdering his brother-in-law. While hiding near an under-construction police station, he notices Georgekutty emerging from the compound late at night under suspicious circumstances. Before Jose can make sense of what he witnessed, the police capture and arrest him while he attempts to flee with his family.
By 2019, Georgekutty, Rani, Anju, and Anu are leading a far more comfortable life. Georgekutty is now a successful businessman who owns a movie theatre and has ambitions of producing a film someday. However, Varun's death continues to haunt the family. Anju suffers from severe psychological trauma caused by the incident and lives in constant fear and anxiety. Rumours about her past occasionally spread through the town, leaving Rani emotionally disturbed and increasingly protective of her daughter. During this period, Rani grows close to her neighbour Saritha, often confiding in her about the struggles their family has endured. Unknown to Rani, Saritha and her abusive husband Sabu are actually undercover police officers planted near the family by Inspector General of Police Thomas Bastin, who has reopened Varun's case at the request of Geetha Prabhakar.
Meanwhile, Jose George is released from prison after completing his sentence. Struggling to reconnect with his estranged family and desperate to find work, he eventually learns that the police have reopened the Varun investigation. Suddenly recalling the events of the night he was arrested years earlier, Jose realises that Georgekutty had been near the unfinished police station at the exact time Varun went missing. Sensing the importance of this memory, he informs Thomas about what he saw for the reward money.
Thomas immediately contacts Geetha and Prabhakar before organizing an excavation beneath the now-completed police station. To everyone's shock, skeletal remains are discovered buried underneath the building.
Georgekutty, who has secretly been monitoring the police station through surveillance cameras installed nearby, notices the excavation taking place and realizes the situation has spiraled beyond his control. Soon after, he surrenders before the authorities.
Thomas summons Georgekutty and his family for interrogation. Despite intense questioning, Georgekutty, Rani, Anju, and Anu firmly maintain the same alibi they had given years earlier. However, the investigation takes a dramatic turn when the police obtain a secretly recorded conversation in which Rani unknowingly reveals details about Varun's death to Saritha. The police also discover that the family had been under surveillance for months.
As pressure mounts on his wife and daughters, Georgekutty finally claims responsibility for the crime in an attempt to shield his family from legal punishment. Although the police believe they have finally solved the case, Geetha remains unconvinced and continues demanding justice for Varun.
The matter soon reaches court, where Georgekutty unexpectedly pleads not guilty. His lawyer argues that the police have fabricated the entire case using the storyline of a crime novel titled Drishyam, written by Vinayachandran. It is revealed that Georgekutty himself had narrated the story idea to the writer years earlier while discussing a possible film project. At the same time, forensic reports create chaos inside the courtroom when DNA analysis confirms that the skeleton recovered from the police station does not belong to Varun.
Vinayachandran later discloses that Georgekutty had once narrated an alternate ending for his proposed crime thriller. In that version, the protagonist, anticipating that his original cover-up could someday be uncovered, secretly arranges for another unidentified corpse of a similar age and build to be used as a substitute. Over the years, he carefully preserves the skeletal remains while slowly gaining the trust of a morgue employee at the district medical college under the guise of discussing a role in his upcoming film project. On the very night the remains recovered from the police station are transferred for forensic examination, the protagonist quietly switches the bodies before the DNA testing can expose the truth.
The police slowly realize that Georgekutty had anticipated every possible outcome long before the investigation was reopened. Due to the complete lack of conclusive evidence, the court grants Georgekutty bail and orders the police to discontinue further action against him and his family.
Later, Vinayachandran quietly reveals to Geetha and Prabhakar that Georgekutty's “alternate climax” had one final twist, the protagonist would anonymously return the victim's buried remains to his grieving parents so they could finally perform his last rites.
At the same time, Geetha and Prabhakar receive Varun's remains anonymously. As Varun's remains are being finally immersed, Thomas quietly urges Geetha and Prabhakar to let go of their pursuit of Georgekutty. He admits that throughout the investigation, Georgekutty had always remained one step ahead, willing to go to any extent to protect his family. Thomas realizes that, while the police believed they were constantly watching Georgekutty, in reality it was Georgekutty who had been observing them all along, patiently anticipating every move they would make next. As Geetha and Prabhakar finally begin to find closure, Georgekutty watches from a distance before silently walking away, continuing to live in constant vigilance for whatever may come next.
Cast
Production Development Jeethu Joseph and Mohanlal were filming for Ram prior to the COVID-19 lockdown in India, however the shooting of the film was stalled as some sequences they want to film in foreign locations, such as London and Cairo. As the crew realised that the filming would take time to continue, Jeethu decided to start the works for Drishyam 2, a sequel to their 2013 film Drishyam which he had plans for some time. As the shooting of the film would only take place in Kerala, Jeethu realised it was most appropriate film to shoot after the lockdown ends. The film was officially announced by Mohanlal on his 60th birthday on 21 May 2020. It was intended to start filming soon after the government allows permission to begin film shootings. Mohanlal said during an interview that he has read the script, and shooting might begin after lockdown. Antony Perumbavoor who produced Drishyam returns as the producer. Jeethu said that it is a direct continuation of the last film and for that he has retained the principal characters along with some new additions in the secondary cast. In the turn of events, Georgekutty and his family now leads an affluent life and Georgekutty has opened a cinema theatre and is also planning to produce a film.
Filming Principal photography began on 21 September 2020 in Kochi. It was conducted adhering to the safety precautions set for preventing COVID-19 spread. Indoor scenes were shot there. Filming was held in Kakkanad, Kochi. It was shifted to Thodupuzha after two weeks. The same house in Vazhithala featured as Georegekutty and family's residence in Drishyam was used as the location for Drishyam 2, reportedly, an 18-day shoot was charted at the house. The house was renovated to reflect Georgekutty's present-day prosperity. Filming was also held at some other houses in Thodupuzha, and was also shot at nearby areas such as Kanjar and Arakkulam.
A set was constructed at Kaipa Kavala in Kudayathoor where Drishyam was filmed. An entire street was erected at the place, including Rajakkadu Police Station, Georgekutty's cable TV shop, and surrounding stores and structures, which was one of the main locations. Rajeev Kovilakathu was the art director. Following the portions at Kaipa Kavala, filming was concluded on 6 November 2020. The entire filming, which was scheduled to last for 56 days was completed in 46 days. A special team was designated to observe the film crew, including the director, were abiding the COVID-19 protocol.
Music The songs and the film score were composed by Anil Johnson, with lyrics by Vinayak Sasikumar. The music album consists of only one song titled "Ore Pakal" which was recorded by Zonobia Safar, and was released on 10 February 2021 by Saina Music.
Marketing and release Director Jeethu Joseph stated the plans for a theatrical release on 22 January 2021 before Mohanlal's big-budget film Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, citing that it is served to be a "litmus test in getting the audience back when theatres reopen". However, as the Kerala Film Chamber decided against reopening theatres since they demanded relief package from the government as theatre business took a severe hit following the coronavirus-induced lockdown and full exemption from entertainment tax, plans for the theatrical release had interrupted and the team opted for the digital streaming platform Amazon Prime Video to distribute the film. A teaser released on the occasion of New Year's Day, confirmed that it will release in Amazon Prime Video.
The film's official trailer was supposed to be unveiled on 8 February 2021, however on 6 February (two days before the trailer release), the trailer was leaked online which resulted the team to release the trailer officially on the same day, also announcing the release date of 19 February 2021. However, Drishyam 2 was released worldwide on the midnight of 18 February 2021, and was made available for streaming in over 240 countries.