Drishyam 3: Producer slams Akshaye Khanna over ‘unprofessional’ exit, confirms Jaideep Ahlawat as replacement

Just as Akshaye Khanna was enjoying renewed attention after the success of Dhurandhar and Chhaava, along with reports of his involvement in big-ticket sequels such as Kick 2, Bhagam Bhag 2 and Border 2, an unexpected development jolted the industry.

Related Story: Akshaye Khanna exits Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3 amid fee talks after Dhurandhar roar: Report

Reports of his exit from Ajay Devgn-led Drishyam 3 soon began circulating, triggering intense speculation. The silence was eventually broken by producer Kumar Mangat Pathak, who confirmed Akshaye’s departure, described it as an ‘unprofessional’ exit, and announced Jaideep Ahlawat as his replacement- while making a series of scathing allegations. 

The Contract, the Wig, and the Breaking Point

During an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, recounting the sequence of events, Pathak detailed how things unravelled despite a formal agreement being in place.

He said, “We had signed an agreement with Akshaye Khanna. His fees also got locked after a lot of renegotiations from his side. He insisted that he would like to wear a wig.”

Director Abhishek Pathak, however, raised concerns about continuity in a sequel-driven narrative. According to the producer, Akshaye initially agreed to drop the demand, only to revive it later under external influence. Matters escalated when, despite the team’s willingness to discuss the issue again, Akshaye abruptly chose to walk away.

As Pathak put it, “But then, he informed us that he doesn’t want to be a part of the film at all.”

A Longstanding Grievance Resurfaces

The producer did not stop there. Drawing from past experiences, Pathak revisited his association with Akshaye in Section 375 (2019).

He stated, “There was a time when Akshaye was nothing. That’s when I made Section 375 (2019) with him… His energy on set is absolutely toxic.”

He further claimed that Section 375 and later Drishyam 2 played a significant role in reviving the actor’s career, adding, “He has got all the big offers only after Drishyam 2. Uske pehle woh 3-4 saal tak ghar pe baitha hua tha.”

Stardom, Perception, and Reality

Pathak also addressed what he sees as a growing misconception about stardom. He underlined that Drishyam remains Ajay Devgn’s franchise, Chhaava is driven by Vicky Kaushal, and Dhurandhar belongs to Ranveer Singh. In his view, ensemble successes can sometimes blur an actor’s self-assessment.

As he pointed out, Akshaye even claimed that Dhurandhar worked because of him, ignoring the multiple factors behind the film’s success.

From Praise to Pullout in Ten Days

What makes the exit more baffling is Akshaye’s initial reaction to the script. Pathak revealed, “When he heard the script in his Alibaug farmhouse, he liked it so much that he told us, ‘Yeh Rs. 500 crore ki film hai. Maine life mein aisi script nahin suni hai’.”

Despite signing the contract, accepting an advance, and having costumes designed, the actor allegedly backed out barely ten days before his shoot.

Jaideep Ahlawat Steps In, Legal Action Follows

Emphasising the strength of the franchise, Pathak asserted that Drishyam is a very big brand and it doesn’t matter whether Akshaye is in the film or not.

Confirming the recast, he added, “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.”

The matter may not end there. Pathak disclosed, “I have suffered losses because of his behaviour. I am going to take legal action. I have already sent him a legal notice; he’s yet to reply to it.”

Must Read: Border 2 brings back OG heroes Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna and Sudesh Berry with Sunny Deol!

The Wig That Didn’t Make Sense

According to the producer, the most confusing issue was the repeated insistence on changing the character’s appearance. Pathak expressed his disbelief by questioning how such a change would be possible, pointing out that Drishyam 3 continues directly from where Drishyam 2 ends and wondering how Akshaye Khanna’s character could suddenly have hair or whether any technology exists that could make hair grow within minutes.