Akshaye Khanna Exits Drishyam 3 After Pay Dispute

New Delhi, December 24, 2025: In a surprising turn for the Drishyam franchise, reports have emerged that Akshaye Khanna has officially exited the upcoming third installment. This news follows the actor’s massive career resurgence after the blockbuster success of the spy thriller Dhurandhar, where his portrayal of “Rehman Dakait” earned him widespread acclaim.

The Breakdown: Why Akshaye Khanna Step Down

According to reports from Bollywood Machine and several industry insiders, the departure is rooted in a combination of financial negotiations and creative vision conflicts.

• Fee Hike Post-Dhurandhar: With Dhurandhar crossing the ₹600 crore mark at the box office, Akshaye Khanna’s market value has skyrocketed. The actor reportedly requested a substantial increase in his remuneration to reflect his current “star power.”
• Creative Differences: Beyond the paycheck, Khanna allegedly proposed significant changes to his character’s on-screen look and arc in Drishyam 3. These suggestions reportedly did not align with the vision of director Abhishek Pathak and the production team.
• Negotiation Deadlock: While sources suggest that discussions were ongoing for some time, both parties eventually reached a stalemate, leading to the actor bowing out of the project.

Impact on the Drishyam Universe

Akshaye Khanna’s introduction in Drishyam 2 as IGP Tarun Ahlawat was a major highlight of the sequel. His sharp-witted, relentless investigation provided the perfect foil to Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar.

With his exit, fans are left wondering how the writers will handle his absence. The makers now face a choice:

1. Recasting: Finding a new actor to fill the formidable shoes of Tarun Ahlawat.
2. Script Rewrite: Modifying the plot to explain his character’s absence, perhaps by introducing a new investigative officer to lead the hunt against the Salgaonkar family.

Production and Release Status

Despite this casting hurdle, the wheels are still turning for the highly anticipated sequel.

The makers have also indicated a plan for a simultaneous release of both the Malayalam and Hindi versions to prevent spoilers from leaking—a first for the franchise.

What’s Next for Akshaye Khanna?

While Drishyam 3 might be off the table, the “Khanna-ssance” is far from over. The actor has a packed 2026 slate, including:

• Mahakali: His Telugu debut where he plays Asuraguru Shukracharya.
• Ikka: An intense action thriller starring Sunny Deol.
• Dhurandhar 2: Set to hit theaters in March 2026 following the original’s record-breaking run.

Neither the actor nor the production house has released a formal statement yet, leaving a small window of hope for fans that a last-minute compromise could still be reached.