As Drishyam: The Conclusion gets closer to its October 2 release, an old question around the film has suddenly returned to the headlines: what really happened between Akshaye Khanna and the makers that
led to his exit? The issue resurfaced this week after director Abhishek Pathak revealed just how late the casting change happened, and how Jaideep Ahlawat was brought in and the screenplay rewritten in a matter of days.
When Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3 first became public in December 2025, much of the conversation centred on Dhurandhar. His performance as Rehman Dakait had become a major talking point after the film’s release and reports soon suggested that his newfound success had played a role in his decision to leave Drishyam 3.
So, was Dhurandhar really the reason? Let’s look at what the makers have said since and what has now been revealed about Jaideep Ahlawat’s entry.
Why is the Akshaye Khanna exit back in the news?
The latest revelation comes from director Abhishek Pathak, who has spoken about the crisis just days before Drishyam 3 went on floors. According to Pathak, Akshaye’s exit came only seven days before a crucial sequence with Ajay Devgn was scheduled to be filmed. The set was already ready, actors’ dates were locked and more than 200 people were dependent on the production continuing. Pathak said, in a chat with Hindustan Times, the team was unhappy about the situation, recalling, “I thought, ‘Ye kya tareeka hua (What is this)?’”
Instead of postponing the shoot, Pathak decided to rewrite the character and continue.
So, when did Akshaye Khanna leave Drishyam 3?
The public first learnt about Akshaye’s exit in December 2025, after the makers announced the film and his name was missing from the cast. Reports at the time linked his exit to creative and monetary differences. But producer Kumar Mangat Pathak later gave a more precise date. He said Akshaye informed the team on December 4, 2025, one day before Dhurandhar released in theatres.
Then why did everyone connect his exit to Dhurandhar?
Dhurandhar released on December 5, 2025, and Akshaye’s performance attracted a lot of attention. Around the same period, news hit headlines that he had walked out of Drishyam 3. That led to speculation that his renewed popularity had changed his position on the film.
There were also reports that Akshaye wanted a higher fee for Drishyam 3. One report claimed he was seeking Rs 21 crore after the success of Dhurandhar and Chhaava. But the producer later denied that remuneration was the reason.
The fee dispute: What did the producer say?
Kumar Mangat Pathak told Hindustan Times that Akshaye’s fee had already been finalised and that the actor had signed the agreement and received his payment. The team had also started working on his costumes and look. According to Pathak, Akshaye later told the team that he would not be doing the film and stopped taking their calls. The producer also said he felt Akshaye’s attitude had changed after his recent successes, including Dhurandhar. Pathak claimed that Akshaye had told the team that Dhurandhar was working because of him. The producer, however, said the film’s success came from the work of the entire team.
What about the wig controversy?
A reports in Bollywood Hungama claimed that Akshaye wanted to wear a wig in Drishyam 3, while the makers initially objected because the third film continues from the events of Drishyam 2. His character, IG Tarun Ahlawat, could not suddenly appear on screen with a different hairstyle without creating a continuity issue.
According to the producer’s account, Akshaye initially accepted the continuity argument but later raised the wig request again. He eventually told them that he did not want to continue with the film.
Jaideep Ahlawat is not playing Akshaye Khanna’s character
Jaideep Ahlawat has clarified that he is not replacing Akshaye’s character. He plays a new character, IPS officer Rajveer Singh Tomar, who was created for him after Akshaye’s exit.
Drishyam: The Conclusion is set for October 2 release.
Read More: Akshaye Khanna Walked Out Of Drishyam 3 Over Rs 21 Crore Fee, Wig Disagreement With Makers? What We Know
