Mumbai / Bollywood — Drishyam 3 director Abhishek Pathak has responded to the recent controversy surrounding actor Akshaye Khanna’s sudden exit from the much-anticipated film, openly challenging him to attempt a solo film and also sharing how co-star Ajay Devgn reacted to the unfolding drama.
In an interview with industry media, Pathak revealed that Khanna walked out of the project just days before shooting was to begin, despite having signed a contract. Creative disagreements — including a dispute over the character’s look — reportedly contributed to the actor’s departure. Pathak suggested that voices around Khanna may have influenced his decision and said, “try to do a solo film now”, indicating his confidence in Khanna’s talent but also his disappointment at the situation.
Addressing how Ajay Devgn, the lead of Drishyam 3, reacted, Pathak explained that Devgn left the matter entirely in the director’s hands, focusing instead on the film’s overall progress and production. Pathak stressed that the issue was between the production team and Khanna, with Devgn choosing not to intervene publicly.
The director also clarified that rumours about Jaideep Ahlawat replacing Khanna are not accurate in a direct cast swap — Ahlawat is being written into a new character rather than taking over Khanna’s original role. Meanwhile, Drishyam 3 is scheduled for theatrical release on 2 October 2026, featuring Devgn alongside Tabu and Shriya Saran.
Reported by Neha Jaiswal .
