The much-anticipated third installment of the blockbuster 'Drishyam' franchise has been plunged into a major controversy, casting a shadow over its planned 2026 release. What was meant to be a collaborative finale between the Malayalam and Hindi film industries has erupted into public disputes over star egos, scheduling, and casting, threatening the financial prospects of one of India's most successful thriller series.
The Root of the Conflict: A Clash of Releases and Egos
The trouble for 'Drishyam 3' began brewing soon after the massive success of 'Drishyam 2' in late 2022. Historically, the Malayalam original, starring Mohanlal and directed by Jeethu Joseph, preceded the Hindi remake by years. For the final chapter, a unique co-production deal was struck in early 2024 between Panorama Studios's Kumar Mangat Pathak, Jeethu Joseph, and Aashirvad Cinemas. The goal was to create a unified story to prevent the Malayalam version from spoiling the Hindi remake's box office.
However, the initial excitement quickly faded as arguments over the release sequence took center stage. Director Jeethu Joseph insisted on a strict "Original First" policy, demanding that Mohanlal's Malayalam film hit theatres at least two months before any remake to protect the original's integrity. This demand puts the Hindi team, committed to an October 2, 2026 release date, in a precarious position, reliant on the Malayalam film sticking to its April 2026 schedule. Joseph has warned of potential lawsuits if the Hindi version attempts a simultaneous release.
Akshaye Khanna's Exit: Pay Disputes and the "Wig" Controversy
The most explosive development surfaced in late 2025. The future of the Hindi 'Drishyam 3' became entangled with actor Akshaye Khanna, who played the sharp-witted IG Tarun Ahlawat in 'Drishyam 2'. By mid-December 2025, his confirmed exit from the project was announced, sending shockwaves through the industry.
Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak and director Abhishek Pathak later clarified the sequence of events, citing two major points of contention. Following the actor's major box office successes in 2025 with 'Dhurandhar' and 'Chhaava', Khanna reportedly demanded a significant fee hike. His ask of Rs. 21 crore was deemed three times his previous deal and unsustainable for the film's budget.
Adding to the bizarre nature of the fallout was a creative dispute over Khanna's appearance. The actor allegedly wanted to wear a wig for the third part, a request the director refused on grounds of character continuity from the previous film. Tensions escalated after 'Dhurandhar' released on December 5, 2025, and became a smash hit. Between December 15-20, 2025, talks between Panorama Studios and Khanna's team grew tense, with the producer claiming the actor subsequently "ghosted" them, ignoring all communication.
Fallout, Recasting, and a War of Words
The situation became public when Ajay Devgn dropped a teaser on December 22, 2025, announcing 'Drishyam 3' for October 2, 2026, with no sign of Khanna in the promo. In a December 28 interview, Kumar Mangat labeled Khanna's behavior as "unprofessional" and revealed that a legal notice for breach of contract had been sent, citing significant financial losses due to the sudden departure.
On December 29, 2025, director Abhishek Pathak announced that actor Jaideep Ahlawat had been cast. He clarified that this is not a direct replacement; a new character is being written, and the role of IG Tarun Ahlawat will be written out or handled without an on-screen presence. The public spat has ignited a debate about the franchise's core appeal. Producer Mangat made strong comments, suggesting Khanna's recent hits led him to believe he was the star of 'Drishyam'. In response, Pathak asserted that 'Drishyam' is fundamentally an "Ajay Devgn brand," with its potential to earn Rs. 300 crore stemming from the lead hero, not the supporting characters, however important they may be.
With the internal conflict now out in the open, the industry is watching closely to see if 'Drishyam 3' can navigate these turbulent waters and replicate the success of its predecessors, or if the clash of schedules and superstar egos will derail one of Indian cinema's most promising finales.
