Producer-actor Vijay Babu has confirmed that Aadu 3, the third instalment of the popular Aadu franchise, will be released in two parts. “Even though we have always said it is ‘One Last Ride’, it is not exactly like that. This will be part one of that ‘One Last Ride’, followed by a second part,” Vijay said in a recent interview. The trailer of Aadu 3 was released on Sunday, offering an extended look at the next chapter in the action-comedy series, which has taken a fantasy turn in the third instalment.

Directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, the film brings back Jayasurya as Shaji Pappan, the unlucky yet determined leader of his quirky gang. The three-minute trailer opens in a different era, with Jayasurya appearing as a king who speaks of a mysterious weapon believed to possess immense power. Saiju Kurup, Vinayakan, Sunny Wayne, Dharmajan Bolgatty, Indrans and Vijay Babu are seen reprising their roles.

The original Aadu, released in 2015, underperformed but later achieved cult status following its DVD release, which in turn boosted the commercial success of the second instalment in 2017. The franchise is known for its exaggerated and irreverent humour.

Aadu 3 is scheduled for worldwide release on March 19 and will face direct competition from the Yash-starrer Toxic and Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar: The Revenge over the same weekend.