The unexpected departure of actor Akshaye Khanna from the highly anticipated sequel 'Drishyam 3' has sent shockwaves through Bollywood, becoming the industry's hottest topic of debate. The controversy erupted after producer Kumar Mangat Pathak disclosed that the seasoned actor exited the project at a critically late stage, sparking intense speculation about the reasons and potential recasting.
Director's Clarification on Casting Rumours
In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, director Abhishek Pathak swiftly addressed the swirling rumours. He firmly denied reports that acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat was stepping in as a direct replacement for Akshaye Khanna. "No, Jaideep is not replacing Akshaye. I'm writing a new character," Pathak stated, putting an end to that particular line of speculation.
He also made it clear that the film's lead, Ajay Devgn, who reprises his iconic role of Vijay Salgaonkar, remained detached from the conflict. "He (Ajay Devgn) left it to me completely," the director said, emphasizing that the creative and production decisions were his domain to handle.
The Timeline of a Sudden Exit
Abhishek Pathak provided a detailed and startling timeline of events, revealing the exit was a severe disruption. "All this happened after the contract was signed in November. He left the movie five days before it was going on the floors," he disclosed. By that point, significant pre-production work was complete: the actor's look was finalized, costumes were being tailored, and he had received and reportedly loved the story narration.
Meanwhile, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak confirmed to ANI that Jaideep Ahlawat has indeed been roped in, but for a freshly created part. "We have cast Jaideep Ahlawat. We have added a new character... The new character will perform tasks which Akshaye used to do but he will present himself through a different persona," the producer explained, highlighting a narrative workaround.
Creative Hurdles and Denial of Financial Dispute
Pathak shed light on a key creative challenge that contributed to the impasse. 'Drishyam 3' is a direct continuation from where the second film ended, leaving no room for a drastic change in a character's appearance. "I couldn't have him in the courtroom in the afternoon, and in the evening, he comes back with hair. How is it possible?" he questioned, referring to the continuity issue with Akshaye's character.
The director mentioned he had raised this concern earlier and believed it was resolved. "I explained the point to him which led to his understanding... A few days later, this came up again," he said, indicating a recurring problem.
Dismissing widespread gossip that monetary disagreements were the root cause, Abhishek Pathak asserted that financial negotiations had concluded amicably. "The commercials were revisited, but we somehow worked it out and reached a figure that was mutually agreed upon. Then the contract was signed, and after that, all this drama started," he clarified, shifting the focus away from money matters.
The incident underscores the fragile nature of film production, where even signed contracts and advanced preparations can be upended by last-minute changes, leaving filmmakers to innovate under pressure.
