Following the massive success of the espionage thriller Dhurandhar (released in December 2025), Akshaye Khanna’s market value has skyrocketed. His portrayal of Rehman Dakait has been hailed as a career-best, leading to reports that the actor sought a substantial hike in his remuneration for Drishyam 3. Insiders suggest that the actor and the makers reached a deadlock during financial negotiations.
Beyond the monetary aspect, there are persistent reports of creative friction. It is rumored that Khanna requested significant changes to his on-screen appearance and character arc for the third installment. The production team, led by director Abhishek Pathak, reportedly felt these changes did not align with the established continuity of the character from Drishyam 2.
The news of the exit surfaced just days after the official announcement of the film’s release date. Ajay Devgn recently confirmed that Drishyam 3 is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on October 2, 2026. The timing of Khanna’s departure has caught the industry by surprise, as pre-production was already in full swing.
Trade analysts are drawing parallels between Akshaye Khanna’s move and Ranveer Singh’s reported departure from Don 3, which occurred around the same time. Both exits involve high-profile actors opting out of massive franchises following the record-breaking box office run of Dhurandhar, signaling a potential shift in how top stars are navigating their project commitments in 2025–26.
While several major news outlets have reported the walkout, some sources indicate that the door isn’t completely closed. It is rumored that negotiations are still ongoing behind the scenes. The makers are reportedly keen to retain Khanna given the chemistry he shared with Ajay Devgn’s character, Vijay Salgaonkar, which was a highlight of the previous film.
If the walkout is finalized, the writers may face the daunting task of either recasting the role with an actor of equal gravitas or entirely rewriting the investigation arc to introduce a new antagonist, which could risk delaying the scheduled shoot. To know such latest updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
