Bollywood
MAJOR UPDATE: Akshaye Khanna Exits Drishyam 3. Success of Dhurandhar Triggers Massive Fee Hike and Creative Stand-Off
BY CHRISTA LINCY
In a development that has sent shockwaves through the trade circuits, Akshaye Khanna has reportedly exited the highly anticipated franchise sequel, Drishyam 3. While the Drishyam series is known for its intricate plot twists on screen, the drama behind the scenes is currently grabbing all the headlines. According to reports (Source: BH), the primary reason for this departure is a significant disagreement over remuneration and specific creative preferences. Akshaye Khanna, who received immense acclaim and a massive box office boost following his pivotal role in the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar, has reportedly seen his market value skyrocket. Coming off the back of Dhurandhar's record-breaking run, the actor reportedly revised his acting fee to ₹21 Crore for Drishyam 3. Trade sources suggest that the makers (Panorama Studios and Viacom18 Studios) felt the revised fee would push the film's production budget beyond a sustainable limit. While Khanna's performance as IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2 was a major highlight, the production team reportedly could not meet the new financial requirements. Beyond the financial aspects, the report indicates that additional creative differences surfaced during pre-production. A specific point of contention was Akshaye Khanna's request to wear a wig for his character in the third installment. The directorial and creative team was reportedly uncomfortable with this change, preferring to maintain the continuity of the character's look established in the previous film. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With Akshaye Khanna's reported exit, the hunt for a new antagonist or a replacement for the investigative officer's role is likely to begin soon. As of now, the confirmed primary cast remains: Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar,Tabu as Meera Deshmukh,Shriya Saran as Nandini Salgaonkarand Rajat Kapoor as Mahesh Deshmukh Drishyam 2 was a humongous success at the domestic box office, netting over ₹240 Crore in India and providing a much-needed boost to the industry post-pandemic. The chemistry and tension between Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna were cited as a driving force for the sequel's repeat footfalls. The loss of Khanna is a creative blow, but the Drishyam brand remains one of the strongest pullers in Indian cinema. Historically, the franchise relies heavily on its screenplay and the Salgaonkar vs. The System trope. As Drishyam 3 moves through its production phase, the primary focus remains on protecting the film's climactic secrets. While trade buzz originally suggested a possible simultaneous release for both the Hindi and Malayalam versions to mitigate spoilers, current industry indications suggest that the Malayalam original starring Mohanlal is progressing on its own timeline, while Ajay Devgn's Hindi version remains firmly locked for its signature October 2, 2026 theatrical window. With Khanna's exit now looming, all eyes are on whether the producers will look for another powerhouse performer to maintain the high intensity face-off that fans have come to expect.
