Akshaye Khanna Walks Out of Drishyam 3 Over Remuneration Differences After Dhurandhar Success

Akshaye Khanna has reportedly walked out of Drishyam 3 following remuneration disputes with the makers, coming just days after the massive box office success of Dhurandhar. The unexpected exit from the Ajay Devgn-led franchise has sent shockwaves through Bollywood, with industry insiders suggesting that the actor’s revised fee expectations and creative differences led to the breakdown in negotiations.

According to reports from Bollywood Machine, Akshaye Khanna decided to step away from the third installment over monetary disagreements and creative differences. The development comes shortly after Drishyam 3 was officially announced with an October 2, 2026 release date, notably without mentioning Khanna’s name in the cast list.

The timing is significant, as Akshaye Khanna is enjoying career-best success with Dhurandhar, where his portrayal of Rehman Dakait has earned widespread acclaim. The spy thriller has crossed Rs 700 crore globally and stands as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.

Dhurandhar Success Drives Fee Hike Demand

Akshaye Khanna’s performance in Dhurandhar has been widely praised as one of the standout elements of Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller. Playing Rehman Dakait, a gangster inspired by real-life Lyari crime lord, Khanna delivered a restrained yet impactful screen presence.

The film’s unprecedented success—crossing Rs 589.5 crore domestically in 19 days and nearing Rs 900 crore worldwide—has significantly elevated Khanna’s market value. His viral dance sequence to “FA9LA” became a social media sensation.

With this renewed demand, Akshaye Khanna reportedly revised his remuneration expectations substantially. Sources suggest the actor demanded a significant hike for Drishyam 3, reflecting his current box office standing. However, the makers were not prepared to meet these revised fee expectations.

The success follows Khanna’s acclaimed performance in Chhaava earlier in 2025, where he portrayed Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The historical drama earned over Rs 809 crore globally, making 2025 exceptional with two films together amassing over Rs 1,600 crore worldwide—justifying his increased demands.

Creative Differences Compound Exit Decision

Beyond monetary negotiations, reports indicate creative differences also played a significant role in Akshaye Khanna’s exit. According to sources, the actor requested substantial changes to his on-screen look and character portrayal in the third installment.

These creative requests allegedly did not align with the filmmakers’ vision, creating additional friction. Insiders suggest Khanna wanted modifications to how his character IG Tarun Ahlawat would be presented visually.

In Drishyam 2, Akshaye Khanna played IG Tarun Ahlawat, a senior police officer investigating the Salgaonkar family. His calculated face-off against Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar became one of the film’s strongest elements. Audiences had eagerly anticipated his return.

The creative differences highlight established actors asserting greater control over their characters, particularly after achieving significant commercial success. Khanna’s recent triumphs have emboldened him to be more selective and demanding about creative input.

Drishyam 3 Announcement and Casting

Drishyam 3 was officially announced by Ajay Devgn this week, with a promotional video confirming the October 2, 2026 release date. The film is positioned as the “Aakhri Hissa” (final chapter), suggesting this could be the concluding installment.

Directed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3 brings back the core ensemble including Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, and Rajat Kapoor. The thriller is written by Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan, and Parveez Shaikh, produced by Panorama Studios and presented by Star Studio18.

Notably, Akshaye Khanna’s name was conspicuously absent from the cast list despite his pivotal role in Drishyam 2. This sparked immediate speculation about his involvement, which subsequent reports confirmed as an exit.

The film is being made simultaneously in Malayalam, with the original version expected to release first. The Hindi adaptation is scheduled for Gandhi Jayanti—a date synonymous with the Drishyam franchise.

His Role in Drishyam 2 and Industry Reactions

Akshaye Khanna joined the Drishyam franchise with the second installment in November 2022. His character, IG Tarun Ahlawat, brought fresh intensity as the new investigator determined to uncover the Salgaonkar family’s secrets.

The cat-and-mouse game between Khanna’s methodical police officer and Ajay Devgn’s protective father created compelling tension. Critics praised Khanna for his restraint and nuanced portrayal, avoiding typical villain tropes in favor of realistic, procedural investigation.

The success of Drishyam 2, one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2022, was partly attributed to strong ensemble performances, with Khanna’s addition highlighted as a major asset.

Fan reactions to his reported exit have been largely supportive. A Reddit user commented: “Well he’s just been a major part of a massive ATBB, they should pay him what he’s asking.” Another wrote: “Currently he has more fan following, popularity and demand than Ajay Devgan.”

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra recently spoke about Khanna’s selective approach: “He takes his time to decide on a film. He doesn’t want to prove anything to anyone. So that’s Akshaye Khanna’s magic.”

No Official Confirmation and Future Projects

There has been no official confirmation from either Akshaye Khanna or the Drishyam 3 production team regarding his departure. The possibility of resolution through further negotiations remains open.

Industry insiders suggest final negotiations may still be ongoing. However, the timing—coming immediately after the announcement without Khanna’s name—suggests significant challenges. If negotiations have broken down, makers must decide whether to recast, write the character out, or restructure the narrative.

Beyond Drishyam 3, Akshaye Khanna has Mahakali lined up, a Telugu film dubbed in various languages including Hindi. He plays Asuraguru Shukracharya, with his first look generating considerable attention.

With Dhurandhar continuing its strong run and a sequel announced for Eid 2026 (March 19), Khanna’s presence in the spy thriller franchise appears secure. The sequel will release in five languages—Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam—based on strong South Indian demand.

Akshaye Khanna’s reported exit from Drishyam 3 over remuneration and creative differences represents a significant development in the franchise’s future. Coming on the heels of his massive success with Dhurandhar and Chhaava, the actor’s decision to demand higher compensation and creative control reflects his strengthened position in the industry.

While fans eagerly await official confirmation and hope for a resolution that brings Khanna back to the Drishyam franchise, the situation highlights the complex dynamics of Bollywood negotiations and the impact of box office success on actor leverage. Whether this exit becomes permanent or negotiations eventually succeed remains to be seen as Drishyam 3 moves toward its October 2, 2026 release date.

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