Akshaye Khanna has officially exited Drishyam 3, and the real reason behind his departure has now been revealed. The actor, who is on a high after his performances in Chhaava and Dhurandhar, reportedly demanded Rs 21 crore from the makers. This is huge news for movie fans who were looking forward to seeing him reprise his role from the second film.
A few days ago, the makers of Drishyam 3 announced that the film will release on October 2, 2026. The press note mentioned Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor, but Akshaye Khanna’s name was missing. This immediately raised eyebrows since he was brilliant as the villain in Drishyam 2.
The Rs 21 Crore Fee Demand
Akshaye Khanna has become one of the most talked about actors in Bollywood right now. He was menacing as the villain in Chhaava, while he absolutely stole the show in Dhurandhar. The actor has become the next big thing, and he knows it.
Realizing his new status in the industry, Akshaye decided to revise his fees. He asked for Rs 21 crore from the makers of Drishyam 3. This demand reportedly took the makers by surprise. They tried to reason with him that paying such a high fee would push the film over budget.
The Actor Stood Firm On His Worth
However, Akshaye Khanna felt that he was completely justified in his demand. The actor knew that his presence now significantly enhanced the excitement for any film. After delivering such powerful performances in back to back films, he believed his market value had increased substantially.
His logic makes sense from an actor’s perspective. When you become a major attraction and audiences want to see you, your value automatically goes up. Akshaye was simply asking to be paid according to his current market standing.
Other Creative Differences Also Emerged
The fee was not the only issue between Akshaye Khanna and the makers. There were reportedly a few more fronts where they had disagreements. One of them was about the look of the character.
Akshaye suggested that he would like to wear a wig for the role. The makers were not comfortable with this idea, probably because he was without a wig in Drishyam 2. Maintaining continuity was important for them, but the actor had his own vision for the character.
The Parting Was Amicable
Since Akshaye Khanna’s demands were not met, he decided to walk out of Drishyam 3. However, the parting happened on a good note. The actor wished the makers well, and there is no bad blood between them.
The makers also hope to collaborate with Akshaye in the future when they are on the same page about fees and other creative aspects. This shows professionalism on both sides, even though they could not work together on this particular project.
About Drishyam 3
Drishyam 3 is an upcoming thriller film starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on October 2, 2026. It is the third installment in the popular Drishyam franchise. More official announcements about the full cast and other details are awaited.
(Also read: Ranveer Singh Did Not Leave Don 3 Because Of Dhurandhar Success: Creative Differences Are The Real Reason )
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