The announcement of “Drishyam 3” has stirred significant attention, particularly following the exit of Akshaye Khanna just before filming was set to begin. This development was confirmed by producer Kumar Mangat Pathak, who discussed the reasons behind the departure.
In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Pathak revealed that Khanna withdrew from the project after disagreements regarding his appearance and remuneration. Despite previously signing an agreement, he ultimately decided to leave. As a result, Jaideep Ahlawat has taken Khanna’s place in the film.
Pathak expressed confidence in Ahlawat’s casting, stating, “By the grace of God, we have got a better actor than Akshaye, and most importantly, we have got a better person than Akshaye as well.” He also highlighted his earlier collaboration with Ahlawat in the film “Aakrosh.”
The “Drishyam” series, which stars Ajay Devgn as a father navigating a murder crisis involving his family, continues to garner a loyal fan base. The previous installment featured notable performances from Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, and Tabu, who portrayed the investigating officer. Although Akshaye Khanna was introduced in “Drishyam 2” as a senior police officer, he will not reprise his role in the forthcoming sequel.
Pathak noted that Khanna’s recent success with the film “Dhurandhar” might have influenced his expectations regarding compensation. He indicated plans to pursue legal action against Khanna for the financial impact of his departure, stating, “I have suffered losses because of Akshaye Khanna’s behaviour. I have already sent him a legal notice; he’s yet to reply to it.”
Filming for “Drishyam 3” featuring Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran, Tabu, and Rajat Kapoor has commenced, following a promotional video released by the production team. Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the movie is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026.