Akshaye Khanna's Drishyam 3 Exit Stirs Debate After Dhurandhar Success

Akshaye Khanna, who recently earned acclaim for his role as Rehman Dacoit in Dhurandhar, is now facing scrutiny after stepping away from Drishyam: The Conclusion. Khanna, who played IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2, had initially agreed to return for the third instalment. However, he exited the project just days before filming began, a move that has since become a major talking point among audiences and industry insiders.

Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak revealed that Khanna's departure followed discussions about the script and remuneration. According to Pathak, disagreements over the character's look and a breakdown in communication contributed to the actor's decision to leave. Khanna has not publicly detailed his reasons, leaving only the producer's account in the public domain.

The timing of this exit is notable, as Khanna's performance in Dhurandhar had recently boosted his profile. Drishyam 3, produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, could have provided another high-visibility role for the actor. Instead, Jaideep Ahlawat was brought in as his replacement, taking on the role of Crime Branch officer Rajveer Singh Tomar.

Early reactions to Drishyam: The Conclusion have been positive, with packed theatres and strong word of mouth. Ahlawat's portrayal has drawn particular praise, with several viewers on social media directly comparing his performance to Khanna's previous work and noting that Ahlawat has made the character his own. For Khanna, the response to Drishyam 3 is being seen as a missed opportunity, especially after the momentum of Dhurandhar.