The Drishyam franchise is known for its mind-bending twists, but the latest drama has unfolded off-screen. In a shocking development, Akshaye Khanna, who was set to reprise his formidable role as IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 3, has been ousted from the project.
Stepping into his shoes to lock horns with Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar is none other than the powerhouse performer, Jaideep Ahlawat.
However, this wasn’t a smooth transition. Reports confirm that the production house, Panorama Studios, has sent a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna, accusing the Dhurandhar star of unprofessional conduct and breach of contract. Here is the full story behind the controversy.
Why Was Akshaye Khanna Dropped?
Akshaye Khanna’s performance in Drishyam 2 was widely acclaimed, and he was officially on board for the third installment. So, what went wrong?
The “Dhurandhar” Conflict: According to industry insiders, the massive success of his recent film Dhurandhar (where his dance sequence went viral) led to a sudden change in Akshaye’s priorities.
- The Allegation: Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak alleges that Akshaye had already committed his dates to Drishyam 3. However, without informing the team, he allotted those same dates to another big-budget project (rumored to be a sequel or spin-off connected to Dhurandhar).
- The Legal Action: Feeling “cheated” by the last-minute pull-out which disrupted the shooting schedule, Panorama Studios has slapped a legal notice on the actor, seeking damages for the delay and breach of agreement.
Enter Jaideep Ahlawat: The New Threat
While losing Akshaye is a blow, the makers have pulled off a casting coup by bringing in Jaideep Ahlawat.
- The Perfect Antagonist: Known for his terrifyingly calm demeanor in Paatal Lok and his intense acting in Jaane Jaan, Jaideep is considered one of the few actors who can match Ajay Devgn’s intensity on screen.
- The Role: Jaideep will reportedly take over the position of the primary antagonist. It remains to be seen if he will play a recast version of IG Tarun Ahlawat or a completely new character brought in to hunt down Salgaonkar. Given the surname coincidence (Ahlawat replacing Ahlawat), fans are already intrigued!
Drishyam 3: The Final Chapter?
Drishyam 3 is being touted as the grand finale of the saga.
- Simultaneous Shoot: In a historic move, the Hindi and Malayalam versions (starring Mohanlal) will be shot simultaneously to prevent spoilers from leaking—a strategy devised after the suspense of Drishyam 2 was diluted for Hindi audiences who had already seen the Malayalam version.
- Release Date: The film is eyeing a 2026 release.
Conclusion
While fans will miss the intellectual cat-and-mouse game between Akshaye Khanna and Ajay Devgn, the addition of Jaideep Ahlawat promises a darker, grittier face-off. As for Akshaye, his legal battles might just be beginning, proving that sometimes real life is more dramatic than the movies.
Do you think Jaideep Ahlawat is a good choice to replace Akshaye Khanna?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who replaced Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3? Jaideep Ahlawat (famous for Paatal Lok) has replaced Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3.
2. Why was a legal notice sent to Akshaye Khanna? Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak sent a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna for breach of contract. He allegedly allotted the dates committed to Drishyam 3 to another project without informing the makers.
3. Will Akshaye Khanna be in Drishyam 3? No. Following the dispute, he is no longer part of the project.
4. When is Drishyam 3 releasing? The film is currently in pre-production and is expected to release in 2026.
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