Akshaye Khanna Replaced in 'Drishyam 3' After Refusing to Continue; Jaideep Ahlawat Takes Over

Image Source: Internet

Mumbai: In a surprising turn of events, film producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has issued a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna for breach of agreement on the upcoming movie, 'Drishyam 3'. The actor was initially signed for the film last month and even received an advance payment. According to Pathak, the decision to replace Khanna was made after the actor unilaterally decided not to continue with the project via a text message. The producer claims that they had negotiated with Khanna for three rounds before finalizing an agreement, which also included a significant increase in his acting fee compared to 'Drishyam 2'. The film's production team had already begun working on Khanna's look and costumes, and he had committed to working on the movie until March. However, after not responding to their messages and calls, Pathak's team was left with no choice but to take legal action. Pathak attributes the sudden change of heart to Khanna's recent success in 'Dhurandhar', which he believes may have gone to the actor's head. The producer has now signed Jaideep Ahlawat to replace Khanna in the film, which is set to release in theatres on October 2, 2026. The 'Drishyam 3' cast includes Ajay Devgn and Tabu, and is directed by Abhishek Pathak. Mangat Pathak, who has worked with Khanna in the past, is disappointed by the actor's actions and believes that a paid campaign is being run to tarnish his reputation. The next course of action for Pathak's team will be decided soon, and they are hopeful that they will be able to resolve the issue amicably. However, the sudden replacement of Khanna has left fans wondering what led to the actor's unexpected exit from the project.