Mohanlal promises more suspense in 'Drishyam 2'

The cast attended a virtual press meet to discuss the movie ahead of its OTT release next week

A virtual press meet for a forthcoming movie release during the current pandemic is not a novelty anymore. But the makers of the highly anticipated sequel to the crime thriller Drishyam, ensured they kept the proceedings slick as they hosted a virtual meet involving director Jeethu Joseph and superstar Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba and Esther, all addressing the media from the safe comfort of their own homes.

Drishyam 2 is a sequel to the 2013 hit Drishyam which showcased an ordinary family's plight when faced with an accidental death. The family is forced to weave a narrative to keep the crime hidden from the authorities. Mohanlal as the family patriarch George Kutty is the central character tasked with protecting his family from the outside world.

The trailer of Drishyam 2 had amassed over 5 million views within 24 hours of its release and the fact that it would be dropping on streaming service Amazon Prime Video on February 19 to a global audience has excited fans of the original even more.

According to director Jeethu, “family drama” is at the core of Drishyam 2.

Mohanlal expressed his hope that the movie will keep audiences at the edge of their seat much like the first one. He added it was a big challenge to portray the character of George Kutty, someone who is forced to keep his emotions in check in order to protect his family.

The superstar who admitted he considers it a blessing to be in the magical world of cinema would only smile self consciously when queried as to the secret of his success within the film industry. But there is no doubt he is the driving force behind the success of Drishyam, besides the script of course, that released in 2013 to an unprecedented reception from fans.

While the cast and director admitted it was a lot of pressure to make a sequel, they all seemed confident about the latest film and expressed their readiness to take the legacy forward with Drishyam 2.

Even Jeethu who said till 2015 he had no intention to make a sequel, admitted he first had to convince his family about the script before he even approached the actors. It’s probably one of those rare instances when a director had to bow down to pressure from fans and write a sequel to a story which Malayalam audiences found difficult to let go of.

Meena confessed that she initially had qualms as to whether her character would have much to do in the sequel but was happy with the depth and importance given to her role in the film. “Drishyam 2 presents the inner journey of Rani (her character) who wants to do the right thing” but is caught between following the law and ensuring the safety of her family members.

Drishyam 2 streams on Amazon Prime Video from February 19.