The makers of Drishyam 3 are preparing to send a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna following his exit from the film over remuneration and creative differences. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak confirmed that the production has now roped in Jaideep Ahlawat for the role.
Akshaye Khanna’s exit from the much-awaited Hindi film “Drishyam 3” has now turned into a major legal controversy in the film industry. The issue has caught wide public attention after reports suggested that the actor stepped away from the project due to remuneration-related disagreements.
Adding a serious legal angle to the matter, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has now confirmed that the production house is preparing to take legal action against the actor.
As per a report by NDTV, Kumar Mangat Pathak officially announced actor Jaideep Ahlawat as the replacement for Akshaye Khanna in the third instalment of the popular “Drishyam” franchise.
While confirming this casting change, the producer also revealed that the production company is in the process of sending a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna over the manner in which he exited the film. The development indicates that the makers believe contractual obligations may have been breached.
During the same interaction, Kumar Mangat Pathak explained that Akshaye Khanna’s departure was not limited to payment-related disagreements alone. He stated that the actor’s fees were renegotiated three times during discussions.
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However, after these negotiations, Akshaye Khanna allegedly stopped responding to phone calls from the production team, leading to uncertainty and delays. This lack of communication, according to the producer, forced the makers to reconsider their options.
The producer further shared that creative differences also played a role in the fallout. He stated that disagreements arose between the film team and the actor regarding his hairstyle for the role.
These issues, when combined with the financial negotiations, eventually resulted in the actor parting ways with the project.
Earlier, Bollywood Hungama had reported that Akshaye Khanna demanded Rs 21 crore as his fee after the success of his recent films “Chhaava” and “Dhurandhar”.
A source quoted by the publication claimed that Akshaye Khanna wanted to wear a wig for his role, but the makers were reportedly not comfortable with this creative demand. These differences reportedly widened the gap between both sides.
“Drishyam 3” is being directed by Abhishek Pathak and will once again feature Ajay Devgn in the lead role. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on October 2, 2026, and is expected to be one of the biggest Bollywood releases of that year, given the success of the earlier parts.
Meanwhile, Akshaye Khanna was last seen in “Dhurandhar”, where he played the role of Rehman Dakait. His performance received widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. One of his dance sequences from the film went viral on social media, further boosting his popularity.
“Dhurandhar” was released on December 5, 2025, and went on to earn more than Rs 1000 crore worldwide at the global box office. The makers have already announced that the second part of the film will release on March 19, 2026.
With the “Drishyam 3” makers now choosing the legal route, the issue highlights the growing importance of contractual discipline and professional commitments in the film industry. The coming days are likely to see further developments as the legal process unfolds.
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