Creative Clash & Contract Drama: The Inside Story of Akshaye Khanna's Drishyam 3 Exit
In a candid revelation, Drishyam 3 director Abhishek Pathak has opened up about the sudden and dramatic exit of actor Akshaye Khanna from the much-anticipated sequel. The departure, which occurred just days before filming was set to begin, was attributed to a combination of creative differences and a revisited fee structure, painting a picture of behind-the-scenes turmoil for the popular thriller franchise.
The Last-Minute Departure and Ajay Devgn's Stance
Pathak confirmed that despite signing the contract in November, Akshaye Khanna chose to leave the project merely five days before the shoot was scheduled to commence. The director stated that the look was finalized, costumes were being stitched, and Khanna had initially loved the story narration. However, a sudden change of heart led to his exit.
When asked about how the film's lead, Ajay Devgn, reacted to this development, Pathak clarified that Devgn took a completely hands-off approach. "He left it to me completely," the director said, indicating that the superstar entrusted the production team with the decision-making process regarding the casting crisis.
Pathak also squashed rumours about a direct replacement, confirming that actor Jaideep Ahlawat is not stepping into Khanna's role. Instead, a new character is being written specifically for Ahlawat to portray in the film.
The Wig Dispute and Renegotiated Fees
One of the key creative disagreements centered around Akshaye Khanna's appearance. Pathak revealed that the actor expressed a desire to wear a wig in Drishyam 3. However, given that the film is a direct continuation of Drishyam 2, where Khanna's character Inspector General Meera was bald, the director found the idea unconvincing.
"Drishyam 3 starts from the point where the last film ended. He could not be seen in the courtroom in the afternoon and in the evening Akshaye comes back with hair," Pathak explained, detailing his reasoning. He mentioned that while he initially convinced Khanna, the issue resurfaced a few days later.
On the financial front, while Pathak denied that money was the sole reason for the fallout, he admitted that Khanna's remuneration was revisited and renegotiated. When probed about reports of a Rs 21 crore fee demand, the director refrained from quoting an exact figure but confirmed that the commercial terms were reworked to reach a mutually agreed amount before the contract was signed. "Then the contract was signed and after that, all this drama started," he added.
"On a Different Planet": Success and Outside Influence
Abhishek Pathak suggested that Akshaye Khanna's recent success with the film Dhurandhar and the influence of people around him played a part in the actor's decision-making. He stated that Khanna is being told he is on the path to becoming a "superstar" and should focus on projects centered entirely around him.
"I would say – try to do a solo film now," Pathak remarked, hinting at the advice Khanna may be receiving. The director expressed his frustration, stating he eventually stopped trying to resolve the issues as he felt there was no point talking "to this person right now." He bluntly added, "He's on some other planet."
Pathak was quick to contextualize the success of Dhurandhar, describing it as a "team effort" and emphasizing that "it's not about one person." His comments highlight a clear divergence in perspective between the actor's camp and the film's creative team.
The revelations provide an unprecedented look into the contractual and creative challenges that can upend major Bollywood productions. With Jaideep Ahlawat now on board in a new role, the team behind Drishyam 3 faces the task of moving forward without a key character from the previous installment, all while managing the public narrative surrounding this high-profile exit.
