- By Sidhi Agarwall
- Sat, 27 Dec 2025 03:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Drishyam 3 Legal Dispute: Actor Akshaye Khanna is no longer part of Drishyam 3, and producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has confirmed that Jaideep Ahlawat has stepped in to replace him. The development comes days after reports surfaced about Akshaye’s sudden exit from the much-awaited sequel, leading to legal action by the makers.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Akshaye Khanna, who played IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2, has walked out of Drishyam 3. Now, Panorama Studios’ producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has spoken openly about what led to the fallout. In an interview, the producer revealed that Akshaye’s remuneration was renegotiated multiple times. He claimed that the actor’s fees were discussed and revised three times before being finalised. However, despite the agreement, Akshaye allegedly stopped responding to calls shortly before the shoot was scheduled to begin.
Akshaye Khanna exited Drishyam 3 after demanding a fee of 21 Cr
— Ayushi jaiswal (@nice382767) December 26, 2025
• Makers felt the film would go over budget and could not meet the revised amount.
• Additional creative differences also surfaced, including Akshaye’s request to wear a wig, which the team was uncomfortable… pic.twitter.com/GHjoAMMksO
Kumar Mangat Pathak confirmed that his production house has already sent a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna. He stated that the actor withdrew from the project just ten days before filming, causing major disruption and financial losses. He said, "We had signed an agreement with Akshaye Khanna. His fees also got locked after a lot of renegotiations from his side." Explaining the situation, Kumar Mangat said, "He insisted that he would like to wear a wig. But (director) Abhishek Pathak convinced him that it wouldn’t be practical, as it would result in continuity issues since Drishyam 3 is a sequel." He added that Akshaye initially agreed to drop the demand, but later changed his mind after advice from people around him.
Also Read: Drishyam 3: Is Jaideep Ahlawat Joining Ajay Devgn And Tabu?
Kumar Mangat also made strong remarks about Akshaye Khanna’s recent career trajectory. He suggested that the actor’s success in films like Dhurandhar and Chhaava may have influenced his behaviour. He said, "Some actors do ensemble cast films and after those movies become big hits, they start thinking that they are the star. That’s exactly what has happened with him. He thinks he’s a superstar now. Success has gone into his head." The producer further claimed that Akshaye said, "Dhurandhar is working because of me".
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Jaideep Ahlawat Joins Drishyam 3
With Akshaye Khanna’s exit, Jaideep Ahlawat has officially joined the cast. Expressing confidence in the new casting, Kumar Mangat said, "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."
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About Drishyam 3
Drishyam 3 is the third instalment in the popular Hindi crime thriller franchise, starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu. The film is expected to go on floors soon, with Jaideep Ahlawat now taking over the role of IG Tarun Ahlawat. The makers are expected to announce further updates in the coming weeks.