A few days ago, the team behind the much-awaited film Drishyam 3 announced that it will hit theaters on October 2, 2026. The announcement mentioned popular actors like Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor. However, fans noted that Akshaye Khanna’s name was not listed, which raised questions. After his success in Dhurandhar, many were eager to see him return for the next installment, especially after his strong performance in Drishyam 2 (2022).
Reports have now surfaced that Khanna left the project due to disagreements over his fee. According to sources, he had asked for Rs. 21 crores from the filmmakers, citing his recent success as a reason for the increase. The makers were surprised by the demand, explaining that such a high fee could push the budget beyond limits. Khanna believed he deserved the amount, as his presence would likely boost the film’s excitement.
Additionally, there were reports of other disagreements between Khanna and the filmmakers. For instance, he suggested wearing a wig for his role, while the producers preferred he stick to his look from the second film.
Ultimately, when the discussions didn’t go as Khanna hoped, he chose to step away from Drishyam 3. However, both sides parted amicably, with hopes of collaborating in the future when the terms are more aligned.
