Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Drishyam 3 Reworked After Akshaye Khanna’s Last-Minute Exit
Drishyam 3 had a sudden change before filming began.
Akshaye Khanna was expected to return, but he left about seven days before his scene was scheduled.
The director said the team was unhappy about the timing.
However, the set was ready and many actors and crew members had already booked their dates.
Canceling the shoot could have caused major financial problems.
So, the filmmakers changed the character and hired Jaideep Ahlawat.
Ahlawat had only a few days to read the script and prepare.
The director said Ahlawat handled the difficult replacement well.
A producer separately claimed that Khanna wanted to renegotiate his payment after Dhurandhar became successful.
Akshaye Khanna reportedly left Drishyam 3 seven days before filming his scene.
Director Abhishek Pathak said the team was unhappy but chose not to cancel the shoot.
The set, crew arrangements, and multiple actors’ dates had already been secured.
Jaideep Ahlawat was brought in, and the character was changed within five to six days.
Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak separately alleged that Khanna sought higher remuneration after Dhurandhar’s success.
- Who
- Director Abhishek Pathak, actor Akshaye Khanna, replacement actor Jaideep Ahlawat, and the Drishyam 3 production team; producer Kumar Mangat Pathak also made separate claims about the exit.
- What
- Akshaye Khanna left Drishyam 3 shortly before filming, prompting the makers to change his character and hire Jaideep Ahlawat.
- When
- The exit was communicated seven days before the scheduled shoot of Khanna’s scene; the film is slated for release on October 2.
- Where
- The reports do not specify where the casting change or replacement preparations took place.
- Why
- The director said the production continued because the set, crew, and actors’ dates were already committed; the producer alleged that Khanna sought to renegotiate his remuneration after Dhurandhar’s success.
Director’s Production Account
Producer’s Exit Explanation
Why the production continued
Director’s Production Account
Abhishek Pathak said the set had already been built, crew members had locked their dates, and several actors had committed to the schedule, making cancellation financially difficult.
Producer’s Exit Explanation
The producer’s comments focused on the circumstances of Akshaye Khanna’s departure rather than disputing the logistical reasons for continuing the shoot.
Reason for Akshaye Khanna’s departure
Director’s Production Account
Pathak said the exit followed the enormous success of Dhurandhar but mainly described the team’s difficulty finding a replacement and rewriting the character at short notice.
Producer’s Exit Explanation
Kumar Mangat Pathak alleged that Khanna wanted to renegotiate his remuneration after Dhurandhar’s success and also criticized his professionalism and on-set energy.
Handling the replacement
Director’s Production Account
The director said Jaideep Ahlawat joined within days, completed two readings and a look test, and successfully took on a changed character.
Producer’s Exit Explanation
The producer’s account characterized the casting situation as part of the dispute surrounding Khanna’s exit; the reports do not include Khanna’s response to these allegations.
- Film
- Drishyam: The Conclusion, also referred to as Drishyam 3 The Conclusion and Drishyam 3
- Director
- Abhishek Pathak
- Departing actor
- Akshaye Khanna
- Notice period
- The exit was communicated seven days before the scheduled shoot of his scene
- Replacement actor
- Jaideep Ahlawat
- Production response
- The character was changed and the shoot continued rather than being postponed
- Release date
- October 2
