Mumbai: Filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan have announced their next thriller 3 Monkeys, unveiling the film’s first motion poster on Gandhi Jayanti. Starring Arjun Rampal, Vishal Jethwa, Mustafa Burmawala and Tenzin Dalha, the film uses the familiar Three Wise Monkeys motif while introducing a mysterious group of armed characters.
The motion poster offers the first glimpse of the film’s central characters but keeps its larger story under wraps. Vishal Jethwa, Mustafa Burmawala and Tenzin Dalha play three masked characters named Amar, Akbar and Anthony, while Arjun Rampal plays a character named Sanjay.
The makers have deliberately kept the relationship between Sanjay and the three men unexplained, adding to the mystery surrounding the upcoming thriller.
Abbas-Mustan rework Three Wise Monkeys
The announcement campaign for 3 Monkeys draws inspiration from the traditional Three Wise Monkeys concept, commonly associated with the message of seeing no evil, hearing no evil and speaking no evil.
The film gives the familiar idea a contemporary twist. Instead of the traditional message, the motion poster introduces the line:
“Sab Dekho. Apni Suno. Bekhauf Bolo.”
The new phrase roughly translates to observing everything, listening to oneself and speaking fearlessly, signalling a different interpretation of the iconic motif.
The motion poster initially features the traditional Three Wise Monkeys before transitioning into the world of the film.
The shift establishes the central theme while leaving viewers with questions about the significance of the three characters and their connection to the story.
Vishal Jethwa, Mustafa and Tenzin play masked trio
At the centre of 3 Monkeys are Amar, Akbar and Anthony, played by Vishal Jethwa, Mustafa Burmawala and Tenzin Dalha respectively.
The three characters are shown wearing masks and carrying weapons in the motion poster. However, the makers have not revealed whether they are involved in a robbery, heist or another criminal operation.
Their appearance and the secrecy surrounding their identities suggest that the trio will be central to the thriller’s mystery.
The announcement deliberately avoids revealing their motives, leaving their roles open to interpretation until the film’s teaser or trailer provides more details.
The use of the names Amar, Akbar and Anthony also adds another layer to the film’s title and its Three Wise Monkeys-inspired campaign.
Arjun Rampal plays mysterious Sanjay
Arjun Rampal is introduced separately in the motion poster as Sanjay.
Like the three masked characters, Rampal’s character is also shown armed. His appearance suggests that he has a significant connection to Amar, Akbar and Anthony, although the exact nature of that relationship has not been revealed.
Whether Sanjay is an ally, an adversary or someone connected to the trio through a larger plan remains one of the film’s key unanswered questions.
The makers have chosen to reveal the characters without explaining their motivations, keeping the first-look campaign focused on atmosphere and intrigue rather than plot details.
3 Monkeys promises a mystery-driven thriller
The motion poster does not reveal whether the film revolves around a heist, robbery or another criminal operation.
Instead, the announcement establishes the four principal characters and hints at a potentially dangerous situation involving the armed men.
The secrecy surrounding the story is consistent with Abbas-Mustan’s association with thrillers built around suspense, twists and hidden connections.
For 3 Monkeys, however, the filmmakers have so far offered only limited information about the narrative. The upcoming teaser and trailer are expected to reveal more about the characters, their motivations and the circumstances that bring them together.
Until then, the relationship between Sanjay and the masked trio remains one of the film’s central mysteries.
Abbas-Mustan return with another thriller
3 Monkeys marks another thriller from Abbas-Mustan, the filmmaker duo known for their work in the suspense and thriller genres.
The film is directed by Abbas-Mustan and produced by Allarakha Vohra, Faruk Vohra and Sayeed Vohra.
It is presented by AJ Film Entertainment World and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on December 4.
The film is also expected to face competition at the box office, with its release set to coincide with Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha and an untitled comedy starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan.
The December release will therefore bring several films into contention for audiences during the same theatrical window.
Arjun Rampal and Vishal Jethwa’s recent work
Arjun Rampal was recently seen in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, while Vishal Jethwa most recently appeared in Homebound.
Jethwa has built a reputation for taking on varied roles, while Rampal has continued to work across action, thriller and drama projects.
Mustafa Burmawala, who made his acting debut with Machine, has maintained a relatively limited screen presence in recent years.
Tenzin Dalha, meanwhile, has appeared in projects including The Family Man, Rana Naidu and Axone.
The combination of actors from different backgrounds gives 3 Monkeys an ensemble cast led by four characters whose individual roles remain deliberately mysterious.
Release date and what to expect
The first motion poster has introduced the central characters without giving away the film’s main plot.
Amar, Akbar and Anthony appear as a masked and armed trio, while Sanjay is shown separately but appears to be connected to them. The film’s revised Three Wise Monkeys message further hints at a story built around observation, listening and speaking out.
For now, the exact significance of the characters, their weapons and their connection remains undisclosed.
With 3 Monkeys scheduled to release worldwide on December 4, the next promotional material is expected to provide a clearer picture of the thriller while retaining the suspense that surrounds the project.