A bitter chapter from Bollywood's past has been reopened, turning past grievances into a present-day industry debate. Director Manish Gupta has made fresh allegations against actor Akshaye Khanna, accusing him of engaging in "dirty politics" and creating significant disruption during the making of the 2019 courtroom drama Section 375.
Old Wounds Resurface Amid New Controversy
The timing of Gupta's renewed accusations is particularly striking. They have emerged against the backdrop of a fresh controversy: Akshaye Khanna's sudden and unexplained exit from the highly anticipated film Drishyam 3. This parallel has fueled discussions, suggesting a pattern of behavior and reigniting conversations about the immense power wielded by stars and the silence often maintained around on-set conflicts.
Gupta claims that the problems on the set of Section 375, which released to critical acclaim seven years ago, were so severe that they ultimately led to his removal from the director's chair. He alleges that Khanna was a central figure in the chaos that unfolded, though the specifics of the actor's alleged role remain part of the broader accusation.
The Allegations: Chaos and a Director's Removal
While the film Section 375 was praised for its hard-hitting narrative on India's legal system, the behind-the-scenes story, as told by Gupta now, was one of turmoil. The director's core allegation is that Akshaye Khanna's actions contributed directly to a dysfunctional environment. This alleged environment, Gupta implies, was used as a justification to oust him from the project he helmed.
The resurfacing of these claims has shifted the focus from the film's success to its troubled production history. It raises uncomfortable questions about the dynamics between directors and established stars, and the mechanisms that sometimes allow such disputes to remain buried until a new event brings them to light.
A Broader Debate on Star Power and Accountability
This incident is no longer just about a single film from 2019. The conjunction of the old Section 375 allegations with the new Drishyam 3 exit has sparked a wider industry conversation. Key points of debate now include:
- The imbalance of power: How much influence do top actors have over production decisions, including the fate of a director?
- The culture of silence: Why do such allegations often take years to surface, and what prevents people from speaking out earlier?
- Professional responsibility: What constitutes acceptable behavior on a professional film set, and who is held accountable when lines are crossed?
As of now, Akshaye Khanna has not publicly responded to Manish Gupta's latest accusations. This silence adds another layer to the narrative, leaving the public and industry observers to piece together the story from one side. The controversy serves as a reminder that in Bollywood, past conflicts can easily become present-day headlines, especially when they touch upon perennial themes of power, reputation, and unresolved professional strife.
