Akshaye Khanna Drishyam 3 Exit Row: Producer Slaps Actor With LEGAL Notice; BLASTS Him For Being 'Toxic'

Akshaye Khanna Drishyam 3 Exit Controversy: The buzz around Akshaye Khanna's exit from Drishyam 3 is showing no signs of dying down. Reports of the actor walking away from the Jay Devgn starrer earlier this week sent fans and Bollywood circles into a frenzy. Rumors suggest that creative differences, disagreements over his fee, and even a wig-related demand may have led to his sudden departure.

Adding fuel to the fire, Drishyam 3 producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has come forward with shocking allegations.

Akshaye Khanna Drishyam 3 Exit Confirmed: Who Is Replacing Dhurandhar Actor?

In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak confirmed Akshaye Khanna's exit from Drishyam 3. He also revealed that they have gotten "better actor than Akshaye" as his replacement in the sequel and revealed that they have signed Jaideep Ahlawat for the Ajay Devgn starrer.

The producer was quoted as saying, "Drishyam is a very big brand. It doesn't matter whether he is in the film or not. Now, Jaideep Ahlawat has replaced him. By the grace of God, we have got a better actor than Akshaye and most importantly, we have got a better person than Akshaye as well. I had produced one of the first films of Jaideep's career, Aakrosh (2010)."

Akshaye Khanna Dhurandhar Exit Controversy: Producer Sends Legal Notice To Dhurandhar Star

In the same interview, Pathak revealed that Akshaye reportedly quit just 10 days before shooting was scheduled to begin. He also claimed that the actor had already received an advance payment and has since been unresponsive to calls, leaving the production in a difficult spot.

Furious Pathak called out Akshaye and stated, "We had signed an agreement with Akshaye Khanna. His fees also got locked after a lot of renegotiations from his side. He insisted that he would like to wear a wig. But (director) Abhishek Pathak convinced him that it wouldn't be practical, as it would result in continuity issues since Drishyam 3 is a sequel. He understood his point and agreed to let go of that demand. However, the chamchas around him advised him that he would look smarter if he donned a wig. So, he again requested the same. Abhishek relented and was even ready to discuss this point with him. But then, he informed us that he doesn't want to be a part of the film at all."

He further added, "There was a time when Akshaye was nothing. That's when I made Section 375 (2019) with him. Even then, so many people told us not to work with him because of his unprofessional behaviour. His energy on set is absolutely toxic. Section 375 got him recognition. Later, I signed him in Drishyam 2 (2022). He has got all the big offers only after Drishyam 2. Uske pehle woh 3-4 saal tak ghar pe baitha hua tha. Also, it's important to note that the Drishyam franchise is fronted by Ajay Devgn. Chhaava is a Vicky Kaushal film along with Akshaye. The same goes for Dhurandhar - it's Ranveer Singh's film. If Akshaye does a solo film, it won't even collect Rs. 50 crores in India. Forget the lifetime, if he thinks he has become a superstar, then he should try mounting a superstar budget film with some studio and see who greenlights his film with that kind of budget. Some actors do ensemble cast films and after those movies become big hits, they start thinking that they are the star. That's exactly what has happened with him. He thinks he's a superstar now. Success has gone into his head. He told us, 'Dhurandhar is working because of me'. He needs to understand that multiple factors worked in favour of Dhurandhar."

Further accusing Khanna, Pathak alleged that Khanna had received his advance payment before abruptly walking out of the film, just 10 days prior to the scheduled start of shooting. "When he heard the script in his Alibaug farmhouse, he liked it so much that he told us, 'Yeh Rs. 500 crore ki film hai. Maine life mein aisi script nahin suni hai'. He even hugged Abhishek and the writer. Then, we had negotiations, after which we agreed on the fees. We even signed the agreement. He even got an advance while we paid the designer for his clothes. And then 10 days before his shoot, he declined to work on the film."

Previously, Bollywood Hungama alleged that Akshaye Khanna had demanded Rs 21 cr for Drishyam 3.