The makers of Aadu 3 have unveiled character posters of the film’s principal cast, offering the clearest indication yet of the franchise’s new narrative direction. Released on Sunday, the posters place all major returning actors in a centuries-old past, each presented as a distinct historical figure. Accompanied by the caption “Past awakens”, the reveal strongly hints at the time-travel element that the team had previously teased, marking a sharp departure from the series’ established comic template.
Vinayakan, who plays the eccentric gangster Dude in the present-day storyline, is introduced as The Conqueror, clad in imposing warrior attire. Indrans, seen in the films as politician PP Sasi Aashan, appears as The Usurper, styled as a feudal lord. Dharmajan Bolgatty’s Captain Sachin Cleetus is reimagined as The King’s Hand, while Vijay Babu’s SI Sarbath Shameer is presented as The Grand Architect. Saiju Kurup, who plays Arakkal Abu, takes on the role of The Commander in Chief, and Sunny Wayne’s Saathaan Xavier is unveiled as The Overlord EIC.
The final poster reveals Jayasurya’s Shaji Pappan as His Majesty, strongly suggesting that the cult character assumes the role of a king in this historical timeline. The unexpected shift in setting and tone has sparked widespread online discussion, with fans speculating on how the franchise’s trademark anarchic humour will intersect with fantasy and time travel.
Directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, Aadu 3 was earlier announced for a March 19 theatrical release. However, the absence of a release date on the newly unveiled character posters has fuelled speculation that the film may no longer be aiming for a direct box-office clash with pan-Indian titles such as Ranveer Singh-Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2 and Yash-Geetu Mohandas’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups.
Aadu 3 is produced by Vijay Babu under the Friday Film House banner, in association with Kavya Films, headed by Venu Kunnappilly. The technical team includes cinematographer Akhil George and editor Lijo Paul. While the songs are composed by franchise regular Shaan Rahman, the film’s background score will be handled by Dawn Vincent, marking a new addition to the Aadu series.