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Exclusive Interview: Abhishek Pathak gives an update on Raid 3, Shaitaan 2, ‘there are discussions happening…’
In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Abhishek Pathak opens on doing more films with Mohanlal, after Drishyam 3. He also gives a big update on Raid 3.
Panorama Studios’ Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak are expanding their cinematic universe with ambitious plans across franchises like Raid 2, Shaitaan and Drishyam 3. In an exclusive conversation, the father-son duo opened up about sequels, Malayalam cinema, and the future of storytelling-driven franchises.
Excerpts from the interview:
After the success of Raid, when can fans expect Raid 3?
Abhishek Pathak: We are developing something. Until we have something really great on paper for Amay Patnaik’s next journey, we want to wait. There are discussions happening around the content, which direction we should take, and how we can move the story forward.
What more can audiences expect from your Malayalam cinema slate? Any plans with Mohanlal?
Abhishek Pathak: A couple of discussions are going on right now and I think we will soon announce a few things. The reason we entered Malayalam cinema is because their storytelling aligns with the kind of films we want to make as a studio. From films like Omkara, Shaitaan to Drishyam, we have always believed in high-concept, high-quality storytelling. Ever since I watched Drishyam, I have admired the way Malayalam films are written. With OTT platforms, we got to consume even more Malayalam content and realised how strong they are at finding fresh stories. For the last two years, we have been actively building our slate there, meeting writers, directors, and developing projects. We now have a proper office setup in Kerala and are majorly expanding into that division as well.
Do you think Malayalam cinema is leading the way in content-driven storytelling with controlled budgets?
Abhishek Pathak: They have a very organised system there. The unions are strong and there is clarity about costs. Compared to Hindi cinema, the overall production cost is much lower. We shoot films in around 50 days, while here films can go on for 120 days...Even locations are far more affordable there. In Mumbai, a location can cost lakhs for a single day, whereas many places there are accessible without huge costs. Despite that, their films never look compromised visually. That’s the beauty of filmmaking there.
Kumar Mangat Pathak: The budget in which we make one song here, they make an entire film there. The amount spent on the song in Raid could finance a Malayalam film. (Jeetne mein maine Raid ka gaana kiya, utne mein film ban jaati hai).
What is the current status of Shaitaan 2 with Ajay Devgn?
Abhishek Pathak: It is currently being written. I don’t want to create a franchise just for the sake of continuing a brand. I don’t want to make any random horror film and call it Shaitaan 2. I want the story to move forward organically the way Drishyam evolved over 10 years...That’s exactly what I want with the Shaitaan franchise too. We are discussing certain ideas right now and once the screenplay is fully ready, the film will go on floors.
There are speculations that Venkatesh Daggubati has opted out of the Telugu Drishyam franchise. Any clarity on that?
Kumar Mangat Pathak: I don’t have any idea about that right now. We won’t be able to comment because we genuinely haven't heard about it yet
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