The Delhi High Court has temporarily blocked Aashirvad Cinemas from entering any third-party OTT agreements for Drishyam 3 after Amazon Prime Video asserted exclusive digital rights to the film under a 2020 contract.
The ruling, issued on April 22, 2026, follows a plea filed by Amazon Seller Services Private Limited, the Indian arm of Amazon Prime Video, which claims it holds the first-rights option for all future sequels in the Drishyam franchise. Justice Harish Vidyanaathen Shankar presided over the single bench that granted the interim stay, preventing the production house from signing any OTT deal until further notice.
The court has specifically restrained Aashirvad Cinemas from entering into any agreement with third-party platforms regarding the film’s digital rights, with the stay in effect until the next hearing scheduled for May 15, 2026.
Industry observers note that Drishyam 3, starring Mohanlal and directed by Jeethu Joseph, is one of the most anticipated Malayalam releases of the year, with theatrical release expected in May. The legal dispute underscores the growing tension between streaming platforms and regional producers over sequel rights in India’s evolving digital landscape.
The stay does not affect the film’s theatrical release, which remains on track for its scheduled debut. However, any plans for a post-theatrical streaming rollout are now on hold pending the court’s final decision.
