Shriya Saran has admitted that playing Ishita Dutta’s mother in the Drishyam franchise initially felt unrealistic because the two actresses are only eight years apart in age. However, the actress believes the strength of the story helped audiences look beyond that casting difference. Saran recently addressed the unusual on-screen relationship while discussing the success of Drishyam: The Conclusion, which arrived in cinemas on October 2, 2026.
Speaking to News18, Shriya acknowledged the age difference between herself and Ishita, who plays her eldest daughter, Anju Salgaonkar.
“Yeah, I mean, it doesn’t make sense. I did think about it,” she admitted, joking that she would have needed to become a mother while still a child for the ages to align naturally.
However, she explained that the story’s emotional impact ultimately mattered more than the actors’ actual ages.
How Drishyam Explained Shriya and Ishita’s Age Gap
Interestingly, the franchise already contains an explanation for the unusual casting.
Ishita’s character, Anju, is Vijay Salgaonkar’s adopted daughter, a detail established in the original 2015 film. That makes her relationship with Nandini different from what audiences might initially assume.
Shriya also acknowledged the tendency of the film industry to typecast actresses based on age and appearance, but praised the Drishyam filmmakers for making the family relationships believable.
The two actresses have now portrayed mother and daughter across three films spanning 11 years.
Their Real-Life Relationship Has Changed Too
Shriya also reflected on how her friendship with Ishita has evolved throughout the franchise. During the first film, both were at different stages of their careers. By Drishyam 2, their conversations had shifted toward marriage and personal experiences.
Now, both actresses are mothers themselves. Shriya’s daughter Radha and Ishita’s son Vayu are close in age, giving them even more common ground outside filming.
That evolution offers an interesting contrast with their screen relationship. Although the actresses are only eight years apart, they have spent more than a decade portraying a mother and daughter shaped by the same family tragedy.
With Drishyam: The Conclusion bringing Vijay Salgaonkar’s story to an end, their unusual casting has become a memorable part of the franchise’s history.
