Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna finds himself embroiled in a serious legal and professional controversy. The actor, who recently saw success with films like Dhurandhar and Chhaava, has been served a legal notice by the producers of the upcoming blockbuster Drishyam 3. The fallout has led to his replacement in the film by actor Jaideep Ahlawat.
The Core of the Conflict: Fees and Creative Demands
The dispute, as revealed by producer Kumar Mangat Pathak in an interview with Hindustan Times, stems from multiple issues. The primary point of contention was Khanna's revised remuneration. Following the success of his recent projects, the actor reportedly demanded a fee of ₹21 crore for his role in the sequel. This significant sum is said to have created budgetary constraints for the film's makers.
Compounding the problem was a creative disagreement. Khanna apparently insisted on wearing a wig for his character, IG Tarun Ahlawat. The makers, including director Abhishek Pathak, argued this would cause continuity issues as the film is a direct sequel to Drishyam 2, where his character had a different look. Although initially convinced, Khanna later revived the demand on the advice of his associates.
A Sudden Exit and Alleged Unprofessionalism
According to the producer, matters came to a head when Akshaye Khanna abruptly walked away from the project. Pathak claims that despite three rounds of salary negotiations and a signed agreement, the actor stopped responding to calls and ultimately refused to work just 10 days before the scheduled shoot.
Pathak did not mince words in his criticism, labeling Khanna's on-set energy as "absolutely toxic." He recounted past warnings from industry insiders about the actor's unprofessional behaviour during the making of Section 375 in 2019. The producer credited his own films, Section 375 and Drishyam 2 (2022), for reviving Khanna's career, stating the actor had been sitting at home for 3-4 years prior.
Success Gone to His Head? Makers Question Star Power
The production house also took a sharp dig at what they perceive as Khanna's inflated sense of stardom post-Dhurandhar and Chhaava. They pointed out that those films were led by stars like Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal, while the Drishyam franchise is anchored by Ajay Devgn. The implication was clear: Khanna has never single-handedly carried a major film.
"If he believes he’s become a superstar, he should try mounting a solo film with a big budget and see who backs it," Kumar Mangat Pathak challenged, suggesting recent success has affected the actor's judgement.
With the legal notice sent and no reply from Khanna yet, the producer asserts he has suffered losses due to this episode. He confirmed that the show will go on with Jaideep Ahlawat now stepping into the pivotal role. As of now, Akshaye Khanna has not publicly responded to these serious allegations.
