Shaji Pappan and his iconic goat gang are back, and Kerala is ready. With just one day left for its theatrical release, Aadu 3 has crossed ₹2.25 crore in Kerala pre-sales alone, with the worldwide advance booking figure inching toward the ₹3 crore mark. For a Malayalam film, this is not just a strong opening signal. It is a statement.
When is Aadu 3 releasing in theatres?
Aadu 3 hits screens on March 19, 2026, a date that lands squarely on the Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Eid al-Fitr holiday window. That triple-festival alignment gives the film one of the best possible theatrical launches any Malayalam production could ask for, and the advance booking numbers confirm that audiences are already locking in their seats.
How strong is the Aadu 3 advance booking response?
The Kerala pre-sales figure of ₹2.25 crore with a full day still remaining makes Aadu 3 the most anticipated Malayalam opening of the year so far. The film has already entered the Top 10 Malayalam pre-sales on BookMyShow, a remarkable position given the competition it faces from Dhurandhar 2 and Ustaad Bhagat Singh releasing in the same period. Day 1 pre-sales have already surpassed what Aadu 2 collected on its first day in Kerala, making this Jayasurya’s highest advance booking opener to date.
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What is Aadu 3 about?
Directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, Aadu 3 takes Shaji Pappan and his gang into territory the franchise has never explored before. The story unfolds across two parallel timelines, past and present, with the gang appearing in different roles across both eras. The biggest twist is a time-travel and reincarnation element that adds a fresh comedic and dramatic layer to the universe. Most of the cast is expected to appear in double roles, a rare setup that the makers have been teasing since the film’s announcement. Aadu 3 is also confirmed to be Part 1 of a duology, meaning this is just the beginning of what the franchise has planned.
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Who stars in Aadu 3?
Jayasurya returns as the iconic Shaji Pappan, the role that made him a mass hero in Kerala. The full gang is back alongside him: Vinayakan, Vijay Babu (who also produces the film), Saiju Kurup, Sunny Wayne, Dharmajan Bolgatty, Indrans, and Aju Varghese, among others. The reunion of this ensemble alone is reason enough for fans of the franchise to turn up on Day 1.
With ₹2.25 crore already locked in from Kerala and one day still to go, the opening day collections for Aadu 3 are shaping up to be franchise-best. Shaji Pappan has never looked more ready.