Drishyam 3 director challenges Akshaye Khanna to do a solo film

Director Abhishek Pathak has also revealed Ajay Devgn’s reaction to Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3.

Director of Drishyam 3, Abhishek Pathak, discussed the exit of actor Akshaye Khanna from the film, which stars Ajay Devgn in the lead role. The director spoke about Khanna’s departure from the film, citing disagreements over the character’s appearance and addressing rumours about his payment.

Director Abhishek Pathak reacts to Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3.

Abhishek told ETimes, “He (Ajay) left it to me completely. Anyway, it’s more about me, Akshaye and the production. So, I would rather leave that aspect of how we dealt with it out. All this happened after the contract was signed in November. He (Akshaye) left the movie five days before it was going on the floors. The look was locked, costumes were getting made, the narration had happened, and he loved the story.” Pathak also revealed that Khanna left the film a day before Dhurandhar’s release and that the first disagreement arose when the actor insisted on wearing a wig. Abhishek explained that since the film continues from where the previous instalment ended, Akshaye’s character could not sport a wig in the third part. He shared that he discussed the issue with the actor and initially convinced him, but the demand resurfaced a few days later. Although Abhishek assured him that the matter would be worked out, Akshaye eventually walked out of the project.

Abhishek Pathak challenges Akshaye Khanna to do a solo film.

The director also dismissed rumours of paying ₹21 crore to Akshaye Khanna for Drishyam 3. He claimed that the actor himself was circulating such reports. He declined to disclose the final amount at which Akshaye was signed and revealed that “all the drama started” only after the contract had been signed. Pathak now challenges Akshaye Khanna to do a solo film. Sharing on Akshaye’s decision-making, Abhishek said, “I think it’s just that people around him started telling him that he’ll become a superstar and he should now look at something which is all about him. So, I wish him all the best, and would say – try to do a solo film now. When he doesn’t have an answer, then he doesn’t know what to say. That’s something very stupid because we have known each other for a very long time. I stopped (trying to resolve the issue) because I thought there’s no point talking to this person right now, he’s on some other planet.”