Drishyam 3 director Abhishek Pathak says Jaideep Ahlawat isn't 'replacing' Akshaye Khanna: 'Ajay Devgn left it to me completely'

The director, Abhishek Pathak, has finally spoken out about the casting change in his upcoming thriller Drishyam 3 after weeks of speculation in the business. The film, still led by Ajay Devgn, faced a significant setback recently when Akshaye Khanna abruptly left, compelling the production to bring in Jaideep Ahlawat.

Sudden exit of Akshaye Khanna

The dispute arose at the very same moment as filming was about to begin. All official arrangements had been finished months earlier; therefore, Khanna's departure was surprising, according to Pathak.

In an interview with ETimes, the filmmaker explains that everything transpired following the November contract signing when discussing Khanna's departure. Just five days before the film was set to be released, he decided to leave. He liked the plot, the look was locked, the outfits were being finalised, and the narration had already taken place.

ALSO READ: Jaideep Ahlawat to replace Akshaye Khanna in Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3? Here's what we know

Creative clash

The main issue was a creative disagreement over how the character should look. Khanna wanted to wear a wig, the director said, which would have caused a huge continuity mistake in the Drishyam storyline. Pathak stated, "My film starts from the point where it ended. I couldn’t have him in the courtroom in the afternoon, and in the evening he comes back with hair. How is it possible? That was the point I explained and convinced him. A few days later, this came up again, and that’s when we said we will work it out."

Considering the date, the filmmaker pointed out that producer Kumar Mangat Pathak was notified of the choice just before Dhurandhar was set to be released. The reason behind the actor's departure from the film was not related to financial concerns, as Mangat had previously informed Pathak "a day before the Dhurandar release".

Refuting rumours of massive fee

There was speculation that a demand for a ₹21 crore fee was the driving force behind the exit. However, the director refuted these claims, asserting that both parties had previously finalised and signed the financial details.

“He is putting out those rumours!” Abhishek responds to allegations suggesting that Khanna demanded ₹21 crore for the project. He further shared, "I do not want to talk about the amount we eventually locked. Yes, the commercials were revisited, but we somehow worked it out and reached a figure that was mutually agreed upon. Then the contract was signed, and after that, all this drama started."

Breakdown in communication

"When he doesn't have an answer, then he doesn't know what to say," Pathak said, expressing his unhappiness with the communication's stalemate. He said that since they have known each other for so long, that is very foolish. He concluded that further attempts to resolve the issue were unnecessary, as he sensed that "this person is on another planet right now."

Now that Khanna is out, the production has shifted its focus to feature Ahlawat. But Pathak made it clear that the Paatal Lok actor isn't portraying the role that was meant for Khanna. He clarifies that Jaideep Ahlawat will really be cast in the project. The director explained, "No, Jaideep is not replacing Akshaye. I’m writing a new character."

Ajay Devgn's reaction

The lead actor, Devgn, is said to have prioritised the overall vision over the casting conflicts during this transition. Pathak discussed Devgn's reaction to the matter. He shared, "He left it to me completely. Anyway, it's more about me, Akshaye and the production. So, I would rather leave that aspect of how we dealt with it out."

In light of Khanna's recent box office success, the filmmaker speculates that other forces may have played a role in his decision. He said, "I think it’s just that people around him started telling him that he'll become a superstar and he should now look at something which is all about him. So, I wish him all the best and would say, 'Try to do a solo film now.'"

Official release date confirmed

Drishyam 3 is set to hit the big screen on October 2, 2026.

Drishyam 3 FAQs:

Q: Why did Akshaye Khanna leave Drishyam 3?

A: Akshaye Khanna left Drishyam 3 due to a creative disagreement over his character's appearance. The actor reportedly wanted to wear a wig, which director Abhishek Pathak refused, citing it would cause a major continuity error within the Drishyam timeline

Q: Is Jaideep Ahlawat replacing Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3?

A: No, Jaideep Ahlawat is not replacing Akshaye Khanna. Director Abhishek Pathak clarified that instead of recasting the same role, he is writing an entirely new character for Ahlawat.

Q: When did Akshaye Khanna exit the Drishyam 3 project?

A: Akshaye Khanna reportedly walked away from the film just five days before it was scheduled to go on floors.