Akshay Khanna’s Controversy Behind the Scenes Drama: When Bollywood Egos Clash

The glitz of Bollywood often hides uncomfortable truths. Recently, writer-filmmaker Manish Gupta opened up about his challenging experience with actor Akshaye Khanna during the making of Section 375, revealing a…

By Reetam Bodhak

January 1, 2026

3 min read

Comments

Akshay Khanna’s Controversy Unfolds

Issue	Details
Initial Agreement	₹2 crores fee, dates confirmed
Sudden Delay	6-month hiatus for The Accidental Prime Minister
New Demand	Fee increased to ₹3.25 crores
Creative Control	Insisted on full control over the film
Outcome	Original director Gupta replaced by Ajay Bahl

According to Gupta’s interview with Bollywood Hungama, the troubles began after Khanna had already signed the contract. The actor allegedly left the production stranded while he pursued another project, only to return with escalated demands that went beyond finances.

The Professional Fallout

Gupta claims Khanna’s behavior stemmed from ego issues when faced with an “authoritarian director” who wouldn’t compromise on creative vision. The situation escalated until producer Kumar Mangat Pathak made the difficult decision to replace the original director to accommodate the actor’s demands.

What hurt most wasn’t just losing the director’s chair—it was seeing three years of pre-production work, including a complete bound script and hard drive materials, being taken away. Gupta sent two legal notices but ultimately had to watch his project continue without him.

“Akshaye is no doubt a brilliant actor. I am only pointing out his lack of ethics,” Gupta stated, emphasizing the distinction between talent and professional conduct.

What This Means for Bollywood

This controversy raises important questions about power dynamics in the film industry. When does an actor’s creative input cross the line into unprofessional behavior? How should productions handle mid-project demands that differ from original agreements?

The irony isn’t lost on anyone—Section 375 marked Khanna’s return to films, partly thanks to Gupta’s script and vision.

More Updates: Celebrity Controversies 2026

Looking Ahead

Khanna is set to appear in Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for March 19, 2026. Whether this controversy will impact his professional relationships remains to be seen, but it’s a stark reminder that talent alone doesn’t excuse unprofessional conduct.

FAQs

Q: What was Akshaye Khanna’s main demand during Section 375 production?

He demanded full creative control and wanted the original director Manish Gupta removed from the project, despite having already agreed to all initial terms.