Actor Akshaye Khanna, who has enjoyed an exceptional year at the box office with Chhaava and Dhurandhar, has reportedly exited the upcoming crime thriller Drishyam 3 just days after its official release date was announced.
According to sources quoted by NDTV, the actor stepped away from the project due to unresolved remuneration negotiations with the film’s makers.
Release Date Announced, Then Sudden Exit
On Monday, Ajay Devgn officially revealed that Drishyam 3 will hit theatres worldwide on October 2, 2026. However, within days of that announcement, Akshaye is said to have withdrawn from the project.
The actor had joined the Drishyam franchise in Drishyam 2 (2022), playing the sharp and formidable IG Tarun Ahlawat, who replaced Tabu’s character Meera Deshmukh as the lead investigating officer.
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Add Hunterfly on GoogleHis portrayal was widely praised and became one of the standout performances of the sequel.
A Golden Year for Akshaye Khanna
2025 has been nothing short of remarkable for the veteran actor. He opened the year with Chhaava, portraying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb opposite Vicky Kaushal’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film emerged as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters.
He followed it with the espionage epic Dhurandhar, where he played notorious gangster Rehman Dakait, inspired by the real-life Lyari don. His energetic dance performance in the song “FA9LA” became a viral sensation, further boosting his popularity.
Both Chhaava and Dhurandhar now rank among the highest-grossing Indian films of 2025.
What’s Next for the Actor
Akshaye Khanna’s upcoming project is the Telugu superhero film Mahakali, marking his debut in Telugu cinema. He will be seen as Asuraguru Shukracharya, with the film being written by Prasanth Varma (Hanu-Man) and directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru. Actress Bhoomi Shetty will portray the goddess Kali in the film.
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Add Hunterfly on GoogleWhile his departure from Drishyam 3 has surprised fans, insiders suggest discussions could still reopen in the future—though for now, the production is reportedly moving ahead with alternate casting plans.
