‘Drishyam 3’ writer and director Abhishek Pathak has spoken about Akshaye Khanna’s sudden exit just seven days before filming began. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Abhishek Pathak said that Khanna had left the project a week before his scenes with Ajay Devgn were due to be shot.
Despite this, the makers rewrote the script within three days instead of postponing the shoot. Khanna’s role was changed into a new character, and Jaideep Ahlawat was cast. The Ajay Devgn-starrer will be released in cinemas on 2 October.
Akshaye Khanna was seen playing the role of IG Tarun Ahlawat in ‘Drishyam 2’.
Rewrote the script instead of cancelling the shoot
Abhishek Pathak said he was unhappy when Akshaye Khanna suddenly left the film. He said, “What kind of way is this to leave a film?” Only seven days of shooting remained for his scenes with Ajay Devgn. Despite this, he did not extend the shooting schedule.
According to Abhishek, more than 200 crew members were working on the project, and their employment was at stake. In addition, the film set had been prepared and the dates of the other actors had been locked in. Postponing the shoot would have caused a major financial loss, so he took two or three days and rewrote the entire character.
Drishyam director Abhishek Pathak.
Jaideep Ahlawat signed the film in 5 days
After Akshaye Khanna’s departure, Abhishek Pathak rewrote the role from scratch and approached actor Jaideep Ahlawat. The director revealed what happened when he called Jaideep.
Jaideep’s first question was, “Is it a casting change or a character change?” Abhishek clarified that it was not just the actor but the entire character that was being changed. Jaideep liked the new script and character and joined the project within just five-six days.
Akshaye Khanna had increased his fee after the success of the film Dhurandhar.
Akshaye left because of fee differences
When the filmmakers announced Drishyam 3, Akshaye Khanna was an important part of the film. He had appeared as IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2, a role that was widely appreciated by audiences.
According to reports in December 2025, Akshaye Khanna could not reach an agreement with the filmmakers on creative and fee-related issues before shooting was scheduled to begin just after Christmas. He then decided to leave the film.
The film will be released in cinemas on 2 October
This will be the third and final instalment in the ‘Drishyam’ franchise. Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Shriya Saran will return to their previous roles in the thriller, while Jaideep Ahlawat will appear in a new and important role. The makers have scheduled the film’s post-production and release so that it will arrive in cinemas on 2 October.
