Aadu 3

Aadu 3 — Release Date: March 19, 2026. Written and directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, the film stars Jayasurya in multiple roles and is jointly produced by Friday Film House and Kavya Film Company. Aadu 3 serves as the third and concluding chapter of the popular Aadu franchise.

Continuing the cult legacy of its predecessors, Aadu 3 expands the chaotic world of Pannimattom while introducing a decisive genre shift into epic fantasy comedy. At the centre of the narrative is Shaji Pappan, portrayed by Jayasurya, whose misadventures once again spiral into absurd power struggles, eccentric rivalries, and larger-than-life confrontations. Unlike the earlier instalments, the third film elevates its scale by placing its characters within a heightened mythic framework that blends local folklore, political satire, and exaggerated heroism.

The story introduces parallel identities, exaggerated mythological symbolism, and comic warfare, positioning Shaji Pappan not merely as a troublemaker but as a figure entangled in an unexpected battle for legacy and authority. Jayasurya appears in a dual role, including the enigmatic King Deva Raja Varman, a character that anchors the film’s fantasy dimension and redefines the franchise’s tonal boundaries.

Director Midhun Manuel Thomas maintains the franchise’s signature humour—rooted in fast-paced dialogue, ensemble chaos, and pop-culture parody—while reworking its narrative grammar to accommodate spectacle-driven storytelling. The film balances irreverent comedy with heightened visual ambition, transforming familiar characters into exaggerated archetypes without abandoning the franchise’s grassroots comedic identity.

Returning cast members such as Saiju Kurup, Vinayakan, Renji Panicker, Vijay Babu, Sunny Wayne, Dharmajan Bolgatty, Indrans, and Bijukuttan reinforce the continuity of the Aadu universe, each reprising roles that have become fan favourites over time. Principal photography began in May 2025, with Jayasurya joining the shoot in July 2025, signalling the film’s scale-heavy production phase.

Positioned as a theatrical event and the final word on the Aadu saga, Aadu 3 aims to conclude the franchise by amplifying its madness rather than toning it down—closing the series on an intentionally grand, chaotic, and self-aware note.