The production of the highly anticipated film Drishyam 3 has been hit by controversy following the sudden departure of actor Akshaye Khanna. While producer Kumar Mangat Pathak initially voiced his frustration, the film’s director, Abhishek Pathak, has now spoken out, issuing a pointed challenge to the actor and clarifying the details surrounding his abrupt exit, including how the film's lead, Ajay Devgn, reacted to the news.

The Challenge: Attempt a Solo Film

Director Abhishek Pathak did not mince words when discussing Akshaye Khanna’s decision to walk away from the project despite a signed agreement. Pathak challenged the actor to test his commercial viability independently before making such demands on an established franchise.

“This is a film that already has Ajay Devgn and a successful franchise backing it. I challenge him to do a solo film and then talk about the issues of a wig or anything else. It’s unprofessional to exit after signing a contract and after all the preparation has been done,” Pathak implied.

The director’s comments suggest that Khanna’s exit created a major hurdle, especially given the actor’s timing and the extent of the production preparations already completed.

Ajay Devgn Left it to the Director

Addressing the reaction of the film’s lead star, Ajay Devgn, to the unexpected casting crisis, Abhishek Pathak revealed that the superstar maintained a composed and professional distance.

“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,” Pathak told ETimes.

Devgn’s response underscores his faith in the director and the production team to handle the issue, suggesting that while the news was certainly disruptive, it did not cause a major creative rift with the franchise star.

Wig Wars: The Disagreement Over Character Continuity

Pathak went on to detail the timeline and the core disagreement that led to Khanna’s departure, which occurred a mere five days before the film was set to go on floors.

The director confirmed that the actor had signed the contract in November, had been narrated the story (which he loved), and that the look and costumes were already being finalized. The final disagreement centered on a seemingly minor, yet crucial, continuity issue: the actor insisted on wearing a wig.

Pathak explained that since Drishyam 3 is a direct continuation of the previous installment, Akshaye’s character could not wear a wig in the third part to maintain visual consistency. Although the director initially convinced Khanna on the matter, the demand resurfaced just a few days later, right before the release of the actor’s other major film, Dhurandhar.

Despite Abhishek Pathak’s assurance that the team would find a solution, Akshaye Khanna ultimately walked out, leaving the production scrambling. The director’s account highlights the fine line between artistic continuity and actor demands, making the search for Khanna’s replacement a critical priority for the Drishyam 3 team.
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