Drishyam 3 producer sends legal notice to Akshaye Khanna following Ajay Devgn's film exit: 'Dhurandhar success sar pe chadh gayi'

Drishyam 3 producer opened up about Akshaye Khanna's exit from Ajay Devgn's film following the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar. He called the actor unprofessional and toxic.

Akshaye Khanna in Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar is the number 1 Indian film of 2025. Following the success of Aditya Dhar's film, Ranveer Singh reportedly stepped away from Farhan Akhtar's Don 3, and Akshaye Khanna left Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3. Recently, Drishyam 3 producer opened up about Akshaye's sudden exit, even though the makers had signed him for the fees he asked for, given money to the costume designers, and they had begun work on his look. The producer has now sent a legal notice to Akshaye.

Drishyam 3 producer on Akshaye Khanna's exit from Ajay Devgn's film

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Kumar Mangat Pathak, the producer of Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3, has revealed that the makers have already signed a deal with Akshaye Khanna for the film after the actor's remuneration was fixed after multiple rounds of reconsideration on his part.

"One fine day, and this is before Dhurandhar’s release, Akshaye said he wanted his character (who was bald) to have hair because people had praised his look. Abhishek (Pathak, director of Drishyam 3) said it’s not possible because the threequel of Drishyam begins from the same night as the second instalment, 6 ghante ke gap mein toh baal nahi aa sakte. He had agreed then, we have everything on record," the producer said.

The producer said 'successsar pe chadh gayi' as he criticised Akshaye's behaviour. He also said that Dhurandhar is primarily a Ranveer Singh film, which means that Akshay doesn't have much of a role in the film's success. He also shared that when he worked with Akshaye for Section 375, his energy on set was “toxic” and “unprofessional.” Kumar Mangat Pathak claimed that legal action has been initiated, with a legal notice sent to the actor, to which he has not yet responded.

Jaideep Ahlawat replaces Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3

The producer also confirmed that they have replaced Akshaye Khanna with Jaideep Ahlawat in Drishyam 3. He called Jaideep a better actor. "I will definitely take compensation from Akshaye for this. It’s not easy, that you commit for a film, take money and then leave. Even if he wants to return to the film now, we won't work with him. Na kabhi dobara kaam karna hai, iss tarah ke behaviour ke baad," the producer shared.

More about Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3

Drishyam 3 (Hindi) was recently announced, and the makers confirmed that Ajay Devgn-starrer will hit theatres on October 2, 2026. Ajay Devgn, along with Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor and Tabu, will reprise their roles.

Drishyam 3 is the final chapter of the Hindi thriller trilogy, continuing the story of Vijay Salgaonkar. The resurgence of new evidence threatens to reveal the secrets of his past, with key themes of family protection, deception, and outsmarting the law.

Also Read: Ajay Devgn starrer Drishyam 3 release date out: Vijay Salgaonkar promises sharper twists and edge-of-the-seat suspense in announcement teaser

Drishyam 3 FAQS

Q: Has Akshay Khanna left Drishyam 3?

A: Yes. Akshaye Khanna has reportedly left Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3.

Q: Who replaced Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3?

A: Drishyam 3 producer confirmed to Bollywood Hungama that Jaideep Ahlawat has replaced Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3.

Q: When will Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3 release?

A: Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3 will hit cinemas on October 2, 2026.

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