The controversy surrounding Akshaye Khanna’s sudden exit from Drishyam 3 has finally been addressed — and this time, it’s the director himself speaking. After producer Kumar Mangat Pathak publicly criticised the actor for walking out despite signing a contract, Abhishek Pathak has now shared his side of the story, shedding light on what really went wrong and how Ajay Devgn reacted to the last-minute shocker.
Ajay Devgn’s Reaction: “He Left It to Me”
Addressing the issue, Abhishek Pathak revealed that Ajay Devgn chose not to interfere. According to the director, Ajay trusted him completely to handle the situation, since the matter involved the director, the actor, and the production team.
Abhishek explained that Akshaye exited the project just five days before filming was set to begin, even though the contract had already been signed back in November. By that point, the narration was done, the actor had liked the script, costumes were being stitched, and the look had already been locked.
The Wig Disagreement That Snowballed
One of the key reasons behind the fallout, Abhishek revealed, was a disagreement over Akshaye Khanna’s character appearance. The issue reportedly started when Akshaye insisted on wearing a wig.
Abhishek clarified that Drishyam 3 continues directly from where the previous part ended — meaning any drastic change in appearance would break continuity. While he initially managed to convince Akshaye to drop the idea, the demand resurfaced again a few days later.
Despite assurances that things could be worked out, Akshaye eventually chose to walk away from the film — notably a day before Dhurandhar released in theatres.
Payment Rumours Shut Down
Abhishek also firmly dismissed reports claiming Akshaye was paid ₹21 crore for Drishyam 3. Without revealing the actual amount, he stated that such figures were being circulated by the actor himself and stressed that all issues began only after the contract was signed.
“Try Doing a Solo Film”: Abhishek’s Blunt Take
In his most candid remarks, Abhishek suggested that Akshaye may have been influenced by people around him encouraging him to pursue “superstar” status.
The director openly challenged Akshaye to attempt a solo film, saying that when faced with that question, the actor had no real answer. Abhishek added that he eventually stopped trying to resolve the conflict because it felt pointless at that stage, describing Akshaye as being “on some other planet” mentally during those conversations.
Irony: Dhurandhar’s Success
What makes the situation more striking is that all of this unfolded while Akshaye Khanna was receiving massive praise for Dhurandhar. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller stormed into the ₹1,000 crore club within just 22 days.
Akshaye’s portrayal of gangster Rehman Dakait earned widespread acclaim, with even his brief dance sequence from the Fa9La song going viral. The film also stars Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, with Dhurandhar 2 already locked for a March 19, 2026 release.
Where Drishyam 3 Stands Now
Drishyam 3, directed by Abhishek Pathak, remains firmly on track. The film brings back Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor, continuing the iconic Salgaonkar family saga.
Presented by Star Studios and produced by Panorama Studios, the film is currently in production and is slated for a theatrical release on October 2.
Final Words
Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3 wasn’t just a casting change — it exposed cracks that formed after contracts were signed and expectations shifted. With Abhishek Pathak now speaking openly, the episode feels less like a mystery and more like a cautionary tale about timing, ego, and misaligned priorities in high-stakes franchises.
