- By Swati Singh
- Sat, 27 Dec 2025 04:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The announcement of Drishyam 3 has been marred by an unexpected setback, with reports emerging that Akshaye Khanna exited the film just days before shooting was scheduled to begin. What initially circulated as speculation has now been officially confirmed by producer Kumar Mangat Pathak. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Pathak revealed that Akshaye had creative and financial disagreements with both him and director Abhishek Pathak. The issues reportedly stemmed from differences over the actor’s look in the film and his remuneration. Despite having signed an agreement, Akshaye eventually chose to walk out of the project.
The producer further confirmed that Jaideep Ahlawat has now been roped in to replace Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3, bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding the casting change.
Pathak said, "Drishyam is a very big brand. It doesn’t matter whether he is in the film or not. Now, Jaideep Ahlawat has replaced him. 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. I had produced one of the first films of Jaideep's career, Aakrosh."
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Drishyam franchise features Ajay Devgn in the role of a determined man who goes to extraordinary lengths to protect his family after a murder occurs inside his home. The first installment also starred Shriya Saran and Ishita Dutta as his on-screen family, with Tabu delivering a powerful performance as the relentless police officer pursuing the case. The film’s gripping narrative and strong performances helped establish Drishyam as one of Hindi cinema’s most successful thrillers.
ALSO READ: Did Akshaye Khanna Quit Drishyam 3 Over Rs 21 Crore Fee And Wig Disagreement?
Akshaye Khanna joined the cast in Drishyam 2, portraying a senior police officer who reopens the long-buried case and intensifies the investigation. His character added a new layer of tension to the story, further raising the stakes for Ajay Devgn’s character. While the core cast is set to return for Drishyam 3, Akshaye Khanna will not be reprising his role in the upcoming installment. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak revealed that the actor’s exit stemmed from financial disagreements. According to him, Akshaye believed he deserved a higher remuneration following the success of his recent film Dhurandhar.