Bollywood has been abuzz after actor Akshaye Khanna made headlines for exiting the highly anticipated Drishyam 3, despite signing a contract. Now, the film’s director Abhishek Pathak has opened up about the situation, challenging Akshaye to attempt a solo film and sharing how superstar Ajay Devgn reacted to the actor’s sudden departure.
Ajay Devgn’s Reaction to Akshaye Khanna’s Exit
Speaking to ETimes, Abhishek Pathak explained that Ajay Devgn left the handling of the situation to him:
“He (Ajay) left it to me completely. Anyway, it’s more about me, Akshaye and the production. So, I would rather leave that aspect of how we dealt with it out. All this happened after the contract was signed in November. He left the movie five days before it was going on the floors. The look was locked, costumes were getting made, the narration had happened, and he loved the story.”
Pathak revealed that the first disagreement arose when Akshaye insisted on wearing a wig, which did not align with the continuity from previous installments. Although Abhishek initially managed to convince him, the issue resurfaced, eventually leading to the actor walking out just a day before the release of Dhurandhar.
The filmmaker also dismissed rumors of Akshaye being paid ₹21 crore for the film, claiming these figures were being circulated by the actor himself. The actual signing amount remains undisclosed.
Abhishek Pathak Challenges Akshaye Khanna
Addressing the exit, Abhishek suggested that Akshaye was influenced by people around him and encouraged him to attempt a solo film:
“I think it’s just that people around him started telling him that he’ll become a superstar and he should now look at something which is all about him. So, I wish him all the best, and would say – try to do a solo film now. When he doesn’t have an answer, then he doesn’t know what to say. That’s something very stupid because we have known each other for a very long time. I stopped (trying to resolve the issue) because I thought there’s no point talking to this person right now, he’s on some other planet.”
This revelation comes as Dhurandhar continues its box office run, entering the ₹1,000 crore club within 22 days. Akshaye Khanna’s role as gangster Rehman Dakait has been widely praised, with his brief dance in the Fa9La song going viral. The film also stars Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt. The second part of the film is slated for release on March 19, 2026.
About Drishyam 3
Directed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3 is the third installment in the popular franchise. The film sees Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor reprising their roles. Produced by Panorama Studios and presented by Star Studios, the film is currently under production and scheduled to hit theaters on October 2, 2026.
