Drishyam 3: After Akshaye Khanna's Exit, Prakash Raj Joins Ajay Devgn Film; Confirms He is NOT Replacing Anyone

Drishyam

3 fans are in for a visual treat when they will witness the movie on the big screen this October. The suspense thriller is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films, and the massive success of its first two instalments is a proof. The film's gripping twists, compelling subject, and strong casting, are the factors which make the audience get glued to their screens .Powerhouse actors like Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Shriya Saran are already part of the franchise, as fans are aware. Prior to Jaideep Ahlawat joining the project in December 2025, Akshaye Khanna's departure from the franchise following Dhurandhar's overwhelming response made headlines. The ensemble now includes veteran actor Prakash Raj, another talented star.

After Akshaye Khanna's exit, Akshaye Khanna joins Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3

Prakash Raj took to X (Formerly known as Twitter) and revealed that he has started shooting for the Hindi version of Drishyam 3. The actor also spilled that has a 'scintilating' role in the movie and a wonferful team to work with. Piquing the curiosity among fans, Prakash said that he is sure the fans will love the movie.Further, Prakash Raj confirmed that he is not replacing anyone in the film, amid rumours of him stepping into the shoes of Akshaye Khanna's cop in the movie.

What is Drishyam's October 2 connect?

Directed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3, produced by Star Studios along with Panorama Studios, is written by Abhishek Pathak along, Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh. The producers include Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak. Drishyam 3 is slated for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026, a date that has become closely associated with the franchise.

In the first instalment of the Drishyam franchise (2015), Ajay Devgn's Vijay Salgaonkar memorably claims that his family attended a satsang in Panaji and ate pav bhaji on October 2, the day a murder took place. The line became iconic, turning October 2 into a defining symbol of the series. The makers smartly tapped into this recall during Drishyam 2 by opening advance bookings on October 2, well ahead of its November release, a move that paid off with strong early sales and eventually led to a sleeper blockbuster. And in a clever mode, the makers have already locked the National Holiday (Gandhi Jayanati) as release date for the third instalment of the film.

What led to Akshaye Khanna's exit from Drishyam 3?

Akshaye Khanna's exit from Drishyam 3 left fans disappointed. The news of the actor's came out shortly after Akshaye's role as Rahman Dakait in Dhurandhar earned widespread praise. Back in December 2025, Drishyam 3 director Abhishek Pathal revealed the actual reason behind Akshaye leaving the film. While speaking to ETimes, Abhishek shared that Akshaye exited Drishyam 3 despite having signed the contract in November, just five days before the film was set to go on floors. By then, his look was locked, costumes were being prepared and he had already liked the script. The first disagreement arose over Akshaye wanting to wear a wig, which Abhishek felt would break continuity since the film begins where the previous part ended. Though the issue was initially resolved, it resurfaced later.

Clarifying reports about money, Abhishek said the exit was not due to payment issues. While the commercials were revisited, both sides had reached a mutually agreed figure before the contract was signed. He added that rumours about a Rs 21 crore demand were baseless and that the problems began only after the agreement.Abhishek also shared that Akshaye’s decision may have been influenced by people around him, advising him to focus on projects centred entirely on himself. He also said he eventually stopped trying to resolve the matter as meaningful communication was no longer possible.