After Ranveer Singh’s reported exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3, Akshaye Khanna is now said to have stepped away from Drishyam 3, triggering fresh buzz about creative clashes, fees, and post-blockbuster power plays.
Bollywood is clearly in its “nothing is locked till the camera rolls” era, and the latest industry chatter proves just that. Just a day after reports claimed Ranveer Singh exited Farhan Akhtar’s much-hyped Don 3, citing fatigue with back-to-back gangster roles, another shocker has hit the trade circuit. This time, it’s Akshaye Khanna, the man of the moment after Dhurandhar, who is reportedly walking out of Drishyam 3.
If true, this one decision could dramatically alter the future of one of Hindi cinema’s most successful thriller franchises.
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Akshaye Khanna exits Drishyam 3? Here’s what the report says
According to a report by Bollywood Machine, Akshaye Khanna has exited Drishyam 3, the third installment of the blockbuster crime-thriller series led by Ajay Devgn. The reason? A mix of financial demands and creative disagreements that apparently reached a stalemate during pre-production discussions.
The report claims that following the phenomenal box office success of Dhurandhar, Akshaye demanded a substantial hike in his remuneration. Considering the actor’s towering presence and scene-stealing performance in the Aditya Dhar-directed espionage thriller, insiders say the demand wasn’t entirely unexpected.
However, money wasn’t the only sticking point.
Creative clashes and “look” disagreements
Sources suggest that Akshaye also sought significant changes to his on-screen appearance for Drishyam 3. While details remain under wraps, this reportedly didn’t align with the makers’ vision, leading to friction. With neither side willing to compromise, negotiations allegedly hit a dead end — resulting in Akshaye stepping away from the project.
As of now, no official confirmation has come from Akshaye Khanna or the Drishyam 3 production team. But in true Bollywood fashion, the silence has only made the buzz louder.
From Ranveer Singh to Akshaye Khanna — coincidence or industry reset?
What’s making this development even more intriguing is its timing. Just yesterday, reports surfaced that Ranveer Singh bowed out of Don 3, Farhan Akhtar’s long-gestating directorial comeback. According to a source quoted elsewhere, Ranveer allegedly didn’t want to be typecast in consecutive gangster roles, especially after Dhurandhar.
Now, with Akshaye Khanna also linked to an exit, industry watchers are wondering — is this a coincidence, or are actors becoming more selective, strategic, and vocal post-pandemic?
One thing is clear: the power dynamics have shifted. Actors who deliver massive hits are no longer afraid to walk away if terms don’t align.
Why Akshaye Khanna’s exit hurts Drishyam 3
Akshaye Khanna’s role in Drishyam 2 was widely hailed as one of the film’s biggest strengths. His portrayal of the sharp, relentless investigating officer brought a fresh layer of tension to the franchise and elevated the cat-and-mouse game with Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar.
With Drishyam 2 ending on a massive cliffhanger, fans were eagerly waiting to see how his character would return — sharper, darker, and more dangerous — in Drishyam 3. If the reports are true, replacing him won’t be easy.
For a franchise built on mind games, moral ambiguity, and psychological tension, casting continuity plays a crucial role.
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Dhurandhar effect: When success changes the game
There’s no denying that Dhurandhar has dramatically reshaped Akshaye Khanna’s market value. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller has emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, and Akshaye’s performance as Rehman Dakait has been called career-defining.
As the cold, calculating leader of the Baloch Gang and founder of the People’s Aman Committee, Akshaye delivered a performance that critics and audiences alike are still talking about. Many have even labelled it one of Bollywood’s finest antagonist performances in recent years.
With such momentum, it’s hardly surprising that the actor is reassessing his choices — creatively and financially.
Bollywood’s new reality: No blind loyalty, only alignment
What these back-to-back developments highlight is a changing mindset within the industry. Today’s stars are no longer just signing films for franchise value or brand recall. They are prioritising long-term image, role diversity, and creative satisfaction.
For Ranveer Singh, the concern was reportedly repetition. For Akshaye Khanna, it seems to be a mix of valuation and vision.
In a post-streaming, post-pandemic era, where audience perception shifts rapidly, even established franchises are no longer “safe bets” unless everything aligns perfectly.
What happens to Drishyam 3 now?
If Akshaye Khanna’s exit is confirmed, the makers of Drishyam 3 will be left with some tough decisions:
- Recast the role and risk audience backlash
- Rewrite the character arc
- Delay production to renegotiate terms
Given the franchise’s massive popularity and Ajay Devgn’s track record, Drishyam 3 will likely move forward — but the road ahead may not be as smooth as expected.
The silence says it all… for now
Until an official statement arrives, these developments remain in the realm of industry buzz. But in Bollywood, where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.
One thing’s certain: Akshaye Khanna and Ranveer Singh are no longer just actors in demand — they are power players setting new terms.
And if this trend continues, don’t be surprised if more “locked” projects suddenly find themselves unlocked.
Stay tuned to UltaPaltaKhabar.com for the latest updates, inside scoops, and all the real drama behind Bollywood’s biggest headlines.
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