Akshaye Khanna Controversy Deepens: Section 375 Writer Manish Gupta Breaks His Silence

| Published: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 17:56 [IST]

Just when Akshaye Khanna’s name has been making headlines over his sudden exit from Drishyam 3, another chapter from his past has resurfaced. Filmmaker and writer Manish Gupta has reopened old wounds, alleging serious professional misconduct during the making of Section 375. What unfolds is a layered story of contracts, clashing egos, creative control, and a fallout that changed the course of a film many considered a comeback for the actor.

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A Film That Began With Promise

Back in 2017, Section 375 was envisioned as a powerful courtroom drama, with Manish Gupta wearing dual hats as writer and director, and Kumar Mangat backing the project as producer. Akshaye Khanna was signed on with a clearly defined agreement–₹2 crore as remuneration and an advance already paid. For Gupta, the film wasn’t just another project; it was years of creative labour finally coming to life.

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Six Months of Silence and Stalled Sets

According to Gupta, the production hit an unexpected roadblock when Akshaye allegedly diverted the dates he had committed to Section 375 to another film, The Accidental Prime Minister. The actor reportedly left for London, leaving the film unit stranded. What followed was a six-month standstill that drained momentum, resources, and morale–an extended pause no production can afford lightly.

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Fee Renegotiations and Creative Control

When the actor returned, Gupta claims the trouble escalated. The original fee, he alleges, was suddenly renegotiated upward, far beyond what was contractually agreed. Alongside financial demands came a push for creative dominance. Gupta, known for his firm directorial style, reportedly refused to surrender creative control–setting the stage for an inevitable clash.

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A Director Removed, A Vision Seized

The conflict reached its breaking point when Gupta was removed from the director’s chair. He alleges that not only was he sidelined, but his completed script and years of pre-production material were taken away. For a filmmaker, it was more than professional loss–it was the erasure of authorship over a project he had nurtured from conception.

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Legal Notices and an Out-of-Court Closure

Faced with no alternative, Gupta sent legal notices and prepared to move the Bombay High Court. The matter, however, was settled outside the courtroom. While Gupta retained sole writing credit, the experience left a lasting imprint. Ironically, as Gupta points out, history seems to be repeating itself, with the producer now locked in a legal battle with the same actor over Drishyam 3.

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Praise for Talent, Questioning the Ethics

Despite the accusations, Gupta stops short of dismissing Akshaye Khanna’s acting prowess. He acknowledges the actor’s talent but draws a firm line between skill and professional ethics. For Gupta, Section 375 was meant to mark Akshaye’s return to the spotlight–yet the behind-the-scenes turmoil overshadowed what could have been a smoother collaboration.

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