Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna is in the spotlight following the successful release of his latest film, “Dhurandhar.” However, reports have surfaced indicating that he is no longer part of the upcoming film “Drishyam 3.” Kumar Mangat Pathak, the film’s producer, has confirmed Khanna’s departure and criticized him for backing out just 10 days ahead of filming.
In a recent interview, Pathak explained that Khanna had initially signed on for “Drishyam 3” after extensive negotiations regarding his fees. The actor requested to wear a wig for his role, but director Abhishek Pathak advised against it due to continuity concerns, as the project is a sequel. Although Khanna initially accepted this reasoning, pressure from his associates reportedly led him to reassert his demand for the wig.
The producer pointed out that “Drishyam” is led by Ajay Devgn, and highlighted the fact that solo projects featuring Khanna would not achieve significant box office success. He expressed concern that Khanna’s recent success has inflated his ego, leading him to mistakenly believe he is a major star. Pathak noted that multiple factors contributed to the success of “Dhurandhar,” countering Khanna’s claim that it was solely due to his influence.
Pathak described Khanna’s reaction upon hearing the script for “Drishyam 3,” claiming the actor was so enthusiastic that he anticipated the film would achieve massive commercial success. Following this excitement, they reached an agreement and even provided an advance payment, but Khanna ultimately chose to withdraw from the project.
In light of Khanna’s exit, Jaideep Ahlawat has been cast as his replacement, with Pathak praising Ahlawat as both a talented actor and a person of higher integrity. The producer indicated that Khanna’s departure has resulted in financial losses for the production team, and a legal notice has been sent to him, which he has yet to respond to.
The timing of this situation coincides with “Dhurandhar’s” impressive box office run. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has garnered over ₹1003 crore globally, marking it as one of the highest grossing films in Bollywood history, with ₹647 crore in domestic earnings. In this film, Khanna portrays the character of Pakistani gangster Rehman Dakait, receiving accolades for his performance.
Looking ahead, “Drishyam 3” is set to release on October 2, 2026. This installment will see Ajay Devgn and other original cast members, including Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, and Tabu, reprising their roles. Production for the film is currently ongoing, with anticipation building among fans of the franchise.