Mumbai, December 24, 2025

Akshaye Khanna has been reported to have left Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3, one of the most awaited Hindi film sequels in development after the huge success of his most recent film Dhurandhar. Numerous industry reports suggest that the actor’s departure is a result of disagreements about compensation and creative aspects, indicating an important change in the plans for casting of the crime thriller franchise.

Reports confirm Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3

According to the sources mentioned by entertainment sites, Akshaye Khanna is no not involved with Drishyam 3.. Although the team behind the film has not released an official statement that confirms the development the reports indicate that discussions among the actors and film makers stalled when they failed to come to an agreement arrangement. The announcement occurs at a time when the pre-production stages on the project are currently in process.

Industry insiders say this decision was made after numerous rounds of discussion and neither party willing to compromise on the key points. The actor is said to have resigned in the film.

The Impact of Dhurandhar’s Commercial Success

The reported departure is a result of the impressive box-office performance that was Dhurandhar which was a film where Akshaye Khanna played an integral part. It has been hailed as being one of the major commercial success of the year, attracting attention to Khanna’s performance as well as dramatically elevating his status in the business.

Analysts from the trade industry suggest the possibility that Dhurandhar changed Khanna’s market value which gives him a greater influence in negotiations for future projects. The film’s success could have affected the actor’s expectations of his remuneration as well as the creative role he plays in future films, such as Drishyam 3..

Differential Remuneration at the Center of the Issue

Sources who were familiar with the talks have indicated that remuneration disparities were one of the main reasons for the demise of the talks. After the tremendous success achieved by Dhurandhar, Khanna is believed to have requested an increase of a significant amount in the amount he was paid for Drishyam 3..

Producers were said to be reluctant to change the budget that was in place for the production, and had been conceived around a predetermined budget. This ambiguity in expectations is believed to have caused tension during negotiations, ultimately which led to the actor’s exile.

Creative Disagreements also Reported

Alongside financial issues There are also reports that point to divergent ideas in the creative process between Akshaye Khanna, and film’s creators. The actor is said to have wanted to alter his character’s storyline, which includes an increase in screen time as well as greater emphasis on the story for the upcoming third film in the series.

The Drishyam series is well-known for its tightly-woven plot and a unified storytelling style with a limited amount of room for dramatic changes to characters’ routes. Filmmakers reportedly wanted to keep the narrative consistent and this could have led to complicated discussions.

Drishyam 3 and its Legacy of Franchise

Drishyam 3.0 is the newest installment of the Hindi adaptation of the critically acclaimed Malayalam franchise that debuted in 2013. In 2013, the Hindi version, directed by Ajay Devgn became an enormous commercial success, being followed by Drishyam 2 in 2022. It also did well in the field of box-office.

The series is famous for suspense-driven stories with intricate plot twists and a focus on moral dilemmas that confront its main characters. Each film has broadened the scope of the story yet has maintained its main themes of justice, family and deceit.

Ajay Devgn’s central role in the franchise

Ajay Devgn is back in the role of Vijay Salgaonkar, the central character around which The Drishyam story is based. His portrayal of the character is widely acknowledged with being among the main factors behind the series’ continued popularity.

Drishyam 3. could carry on Vijay Salgaonkar’s tale, and address some of the unresolved issues that were left unanswered from the earlier film. Devgn is still firmly committed for the film, and sources confirming that schedules are being designed on the basis of his availability.

Tabu and other Key Cast Members

Tabu who is playing in the character of IG Meera Deshmukh. She is likely to be back to the role for Drishyam 3.. The character she plays has become an integral part of the show, offering an excellent counterpoint to the character of Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar.

The ensemble character of the show means that casting decisions are dependent on the structure of the story. Akshaye Khanna’s reported departure is likely to trigger changes whether through the casting process or by rewriting parts in the story.

Production Team has yet to issue Official Confirmation

Despite the numerous reports regarding the film’s production, the makers of Drishyam 3 have yet to issue an official statement regarding Akshaye Khanna’s position. Both the production house and the actors’ representatives have made public statements on the issue.

In the absence of official clarification, speculation is continuing within industry circles. According to sources, discussions could continue in secret, but nothing concrete has been disclosed.

Director Abhishek Pathak’s Vision for the Film

Drishyam 3. is edited by Abhishek Pathak who also directed Drishyam 2.. Pathak is credited with preserving the consistency of tone in the franchise, while also broadening the scope of its narrative in the third installment.

According to reports, Pathak is keen on keeping the continuity and pace that fans are familiar with from the series. Any major casting change requires careful adjustment in order to make sure that the narrative remains coherent.

Production and Scheduling Timelines

The pre-production work for Drishyam 3.0 is said to be progressing and the producers are aiming to release the game in line with the series’ tradition of holidays-themed releases. The tentative schedules suggest a release date of 2026 however, timelines could be altered according to casting decisions.

The casting changes reported are not likely to cause significant delays to the production, since contingency plans are believed to be in already in place. Sources in the production industry suggest that filmmakers are ready to move forward when key decisions are made.

Reaction of the industry to the development

The announcement of Akshaye Khanna’s departure has prompted a lot of discussion in the industry of film. Trade analysts say these kinds of developments are not unusual in the event of actors experiencing increased demand after the success of a film.

Industry observers say that the balance between creativity and commercial considerations is a constant issue in the franchise filmmaking process particularly when expectations change as time passes.

Akshaye Khanna’s Career Trajectory

Akshaye Khanna has been considered to be one of the most versatile actors, renowned for his discerning method of working on projects. Recently his name has garnered more attention for his performance in critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.

The popularity that was Dhurandhar is increased his status as a credible performer which has led to a rise in interest from filmmakers from all genres. There are reports that Khanna has a number of projects under study, however no formal announcements were made.

Potential Casting Changes, Rewrites and Rewrites

With Akshaye Khanna’s rumored departure and the producers of Drishyam 3 are expected to look at alternatives. Sources in the industry suggest that casting is one of the possibilities being looked at however the function could be altered in line with the current story.

Changes like this are frequent during the creation phase of massive productions, and are particularly common in franchise films, where the plots span multiple installments.

The Expectations of the Audience from Drishyam 3

The Drishyam franchise has a huge popularity who closely follow developments in 3rd installment. The expectations remain high, especially in relation to the resolution of not resolved plot points in Drishyam 2..

Despite the rumored casting change Industry experts believe that the appeal of the series remains in place, driven by the characters that are central to the show and suspense-driven narrative.

Silence of Key Stakeholders Persists

At present, Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Abhishek Pathak, and the entire production team have abstained from commenting on the news reports. Akshaye Khanna has not spoken about the matter publicly.

Without official announcements the situation remains ambiguous and further clarity is to be expected when the makers officially describe the casting and production details for Drishyam 3..

Changes closely watched by Trade Circles

Film trade circles are continuing to watch the situation, since Drishyam 3 is considered to be one of the most talked about films in the coming schedule of Hindi cinema. Any confirmation of casting changes is likely to draw a lot of attention.

At present, reports of Akshaye Khanna’s departure remain dependent on sources from the industry as well as stakeholders and audiences waiting for formal announcements from producers.