The production of the highly anticipated thriller 'Drishyam 3' is moving forward at full speed, despite the legal controversy surrounding actor Akshaye Khanna's departure from the project. The film's team has officially announced that the next shooting schedule will commence in Goa next week.
Goa Schedule and Cast Details Confirmed
According to the latest reports, the team is preparing for a month-long shoot in Goa beginning January 8. This schedule is expected to be wrapped up by February and follows the initial Mumbai leg of production. The Goa schedule will see the return of the franchise's core cast, including Ajay Devgn reprising his role as Vijay Salgaonkar, alongside Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor.
This development comes after the makers confirmed that actor Jaideep Ahlawat has joined the cast following Akshaye Khanna's exit. Known for his powerful performances, Ahlawat's inclusion is expected to add a fresh dynamic to the narrative. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak clarified that Ahlawat will be introduced as a new character, stating to ANI, "He will do what Akshaye was doing, but he will come in a new form, and we are presenting him in a very good way."
Legal Dispute Over Akshaye Khanna's Exit
Meanwhile, the producers have confirmed they are locked in a legal dispute with Akshaye Khanna. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak stated that a legal notice has been sent to the actor for walking out of the film after accepting the signing amount and committing his dates.
Pathak elaborated on the sequence of events, alleging, "He signed our film, he signed the script, took the signing amount, signed the agreement, and then he walked out." He further explained the alleged reason for the exit, citing confusion over the actor's hairstyle for the film, which is a direct continuation of the previous story. "The day the old film ends, it starts at night, so how will he grow his hair in 4 hours?... The people around him put it in his mind that by wearing a wig, you will look very beautiful," Pathak claimed.
Producers Seek Compensation for Losses
The production house is now seeking legal recourse and compensation for the alleged losses incurred due to the actor's abrupt exit. Pathak confirmed their intent to move to court, saying, "We will demand compensation from them, because we had a set in Yash Raj, so the cost of the set, the other losses that we have incurred... we will definitely ask for it and will pressurise for our reputation." The producers have given Khanna's team until the end of the day to respond before their legal team takes further action.
Amidst this behind-the-scenes drama, the film's release date remains firmly set. 'Drishyam 3' is slated for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026, promising to continue the gripping saga of Vijay Salgaonkar.
