Actor Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3, following the remarkable success of Aditya Dhar’s directorial spy drama Dhurandhar, has left fans in shock. Now, as the controversy grows with Drishyam producers
sending a legal notice to him, Arshad Warsi has spoken about Akshaye and how he hasn’t changed over the years.
During a conversation with Lallantop, Warsi, while speaking about Khanna, said, “Akshaye is a very serious guy. He has been a brilliant actor since before; there was no doubt about that, but he likes to stay in his own world. He doesn’t care about anybody. He lives his life on his terms and doesn’t get bothered by who thinks what about him. He has no PR or anybody right from day one, and he has been like this all his life.”
Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi have both experienced immense success in 2025, while currently, the former is ruling hearts because of his performance in Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar. Arshad was lauded for his turn as Gafoor in The Ba**ds of Bollywood* earlier this year.
About Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3
The news of Akshaye Khanna’s exit made headlines after the makers confirmed October 2, 2026, as the release date for the film. While Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor were listed as part of the principal cast, Akshaye Khanna’s name was conspicuously absent.
Later, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak confirmed the exit and told Bollywood Hungama, “We had signed an agreement with Akshaye Khanna. His fees also got locked after a lot of renegotiations from his side. He insisted that he would like to wear a wig. But (director) Abhishek Pathak convinced him that it wouldn’t be practical, as it would result in continuity issues since Drishyam 3 is a sequel.”
Kumar Mangat Pathak further mentioned, “There was a time when Akshaye was nothing. That’s when I made Section 375 (2019) with him. Even then, so many people told us not to work with him because of his unprofessional behaviour. His energy on set is absolutely toxic. Section 375 got him recognition. Later, I signed him in Drishyam 2 (2022). He has got all the big offers only after Drishyam 2. Uske pehle woh 3–4 saal tak ghar pe baitha hua tha.”
