Jaideep Ahlawat, the powerhouse actor we know from films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Paatal Lok, is now on board for Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3. But here’s the catch—he’s stepping into a role that was originally meant for Akshaye Khanna. This isn’t a last-minute script change; it’s the result of a sudden and messy fallout.
Akshaye Khanna, who just delivered a massive blockbuster with Dhurandhar (we’re talking over ₹1000 crore worldwide), has walked away from the project. The producers say he sent a simple text message saying “I’m not doing the film,” and then stopped answering their calls. Imagine planning a huge family wedding for two years, and the groom just texts a day before and vanishes. That’s the level of surprise the makers claim they got.
Why Did Akshaye Khanna Leave?
According to the film’s producer, Kumar Mangat Pathak, it boils down to two things: money and creative control. They had been working on Drishyam 3 for two full years with Khanna in mind. They sat down, negotiated his fee back and forth three times until everyone was happy, signed a formal agreement, and even gave him an advance payment. They even discussed his look—Khanna apparently wanted to wear a wig, but the makers felt it wouldn’t seem authentic for his character. He eventually agreed.
The signing happened at Khanna’s farmhouse in Alibaug with hugs and optimism. Pathak recalls Khanna saying the film would hit ₹500 crores. So, everything seemed perfect. Then, out of the blue, came that text message. The timing is interesting—it was just a day or two before Dhurandhar smashed records at the box office. This has led to speculation that with his new superstar status, Khanna might have had a change of heart about his commitments or fees.
The Fallout: Legal Notices and Losses
The producers weren’t just disappointed; they were legally and financially stuck. They had already done significant work. Costumes were stitched, look tests were shot, and the film had even started rolling on December 18th at YRF Studios. Khanna had given them dates stretching till March. His sudden exit meant rescheduling, re-casting, and re-working scenes, which costs a lot of money.
Feeling wronged, the production banner sent Akshaye Khanna a legal notice for “breach of agreement.” From their perspective, they had a signed contract, and an actor can’t just walk away from a committed project without consequences, especially after so much preparatory work.
Enter Jaideep Ahlawat, The Saviour
With the clock ticking for a Diwali 2026 release (October 2nd), the makers needed a solid, credible actor who could step into a crucial role at short notice. Jaideep Ahlawat fits the bill perfectly. He’s a brilliant performer, can hold his own against powerhouse actors like Ajay Devgn and Tabu, and brings a fresh intensity. While it’s unfortunate the way it happened, fans are pretty excited to see what Ahlawat brings to the Drishyam universe.
What is Drishyam Anyway?
For those who need a refresher, Drishyam isn’t just another film series. It’s a brilliant thriller franchise. It follows a common man, Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn), whose family accidentally gets involved in a crime. The story is about how this seemingly ordinary guy uses his wits to outsmart the entire police system, led by the sharp IG Meera Deshmukh (Tabu). It’s a tense cat-and-mouse game about family, morality, and deception. The first Hindi film came in 2015, and the sequel in 2022, both being huge hits.
The Show Must Go On
So, where does this leave Drishyam 3? The film is full steam ahead. Ajay Devgn is back as Vijay, Shriya Saran returns as his wife, and Tabu is back as IG Meera Deshmukh. Director Abhishek Pathak is helming it again. The core team is intact.
In the end, this behind-the-scenes tussle highlights the sometimes unpredictable nature of filmmaking. Big films are massive business agreements wrapped in creative dreams. When priorities shift—especially after a career-defining hit like Dhurandhar—things can change dramatically. While the legal and financial wrangling might continue, the audience’s focus will soon shift to the screen. The promise remains: another gripping chapter of the Salgaonkar family’s battle for survival, now with the added intrigue of Jaideep Ahlawat’s performance. The game of wits, it seems, has already begun off-camera.