Fresh controversy surrounds actor Akshaye Khanna as Section 375 writer and initial director Manish Gupta has come forward with serious allegations against the actor. Gupta's claims add to the ongoing dispute sparked by the makers of Drishyam 3, who recently sent a legal notice to Khanna for exiting their project. Gupta alleges a history of unprofessional conduct, including contract breaches and manipulative behaviour during the making of the 2019 legal drama.
The Allegations: Breach of Contract and Director's Removal
In a detailed account, Manish Gupta recalled the tumultuous period during the pre-production of Section 375. He stated that in 2017, Akshaye Khanna signed the film with Gupta as director-writer and Kumar Mangat as producer for a fixed fee of Rs. 2 crores. An advance of Rs. 21 lakhs was paid, and a contract was signed. However, Gupta alleges that Khanna subsequently gave away his committed dates to another film, The Accidental Prime Minister, and flew to London for its shoot. This left Gupta's crew waiting idle for six months.
Upon his return, Gupta claims Khanna demanded a fee hike to Rs. 3.25 crores, breaching the original contract. The writer-director further accused Khanna of wanting complete control over the film. "I am not the sort of director who gives in to the whims of any actor. I stood up to Akshaye's unreasonable behaviour," Gupta stated. He alleges that when he resisted, Khanna pressured producer Kumar Mangat to remove him from the director's chair.
Legal Battles and a Seized Script
Gupta described a painful outcome where the producer, instead of disciplining the actor, made him a scapegoat. "Producer Kumar Mangat... removed me as the director while seizing my fully-written bound script and the hard drive containing my three years of hard work on the pre-production," he revealed. In response, Gupta pursued legal action. He sent two legal notices to the producer and his lawyers were in the process of filing a case in the Bombay High Court against both Khanna and Mangat. The matter was eventually settled out of court with the producer.
Gupta pointed out the irony that producer Kumar Mangat, who is now facing Khanna's alleged "unethical behaviour" with Drishyam 3, has himself taken legal action against the actor. This connection ties the past and present controversies together.
Echoes from the Drishyam 3 Set
Gupta's allegations align with recent statements from Drishyam 3 producer Kumar Mangat Pathak. Earlier this week, Pathak slammed Akshaye Khanna for walking out of the much-anticipated sequel just days before filming was to begin. He labelled the actor as "toxic and unprofessional" and claimed that the success of Khanna's recent film Dhurandhar has "gone to his head." Pathak also referenced the difficulties faced during the shooting of Section 375, corroborating Gupta's account of past troubles.
Following Khanna's exit, the role in Drishyam 3 has been recast, with actor Jaideep Ahlawat stepping in. The producer has sent a legal notice to Khanna, who is yet to publicly respond to these latest allegations.
A Brilliant Actor, But Questionable Ethics?
Despite the strong accusations, Manish Gupta acknowledged Akshaye Khanna's talent. "Akshaye is no doubt a brilliant actor. I am only pointing out his lack of ethics," he clarified. Gupta expressed disappointment, noting that Section 375 was Khanna's comeback film after a long period and this was how he was repaid for the script. He takes solace in the film's credits, which list him as the solo writer of the story, screenplay, and dialogues, cementing the film as his vision.
The unfolding situation presents a dual narrative: one of an actor receiving acclaim for his recent performance in Dhurandhar, and another of multiple industry professionals accusing him of unprofessionalism and contractual disputes, spanning from 2017 to the present day.
