Akshaye Khanna has been hard to miss on social media since the release of ‘Dhurandhar’. Clips of his dance steps on Flipperachi’s FA9LA kept resurfacing across feeds, pulling in fresh comments and repeat views. As chatter grew around what he might do next, another headline began circling. Reports claimed the actor has exited Ajay Devgn’s ‘Drishyam 3’. Soon after, a new update suggested the makers have already found a replacement.
Jaideep Ahlawat enters the ‘Drishyam 3’ world
Pinkvilla reported that Jaideep Ahlawat has joined the cast after Akshaye Khanna’s reported exit. A source told the outlet, “Jaideep will begin shooting for ‘Drishyam 3’ in January 2026.” The same source added, “He has been roped in for a pivotal and extremely exciting role that will add a new twist to the story.”
Ajay Devgn will reprise Vijay Salgaonkar, while Tabu returns as IG Meera Deshmukh. The project is being directed by Abhishek Pathak, who previously helmed ‘Drishyam 2’, and the third film is expected to push the franchise into its final stretch.
What reportedly led to Akshaye Khanna’s exit
Bollywood Machine claimed that Akshaye Khanna stepped away due to disagreements tied to fees and creative choices. The report stated that the actor demanded a hike in his fees after Dhurandhar’s successful performance. It also alleged that he asked for significant changes in his on-screen appearance for ‘Drishyam 3’.The ‘Drishyam’ series has built its reputation on tension that simmers rather than explodes. ‘Drishyam 3’ is expected to continue Vijay Salgaonkar’s story as past secrets surface again, forcing him to rely on planning and nerve to protect his family. The film is described as the “aakhri hissa” of Vijay’s long battle with the authorities, with one final plan expected to decide everything.As per reports, the returning cast includes Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran as Nandini Salgaonkar, Ishita Dutta as Anju Salgaonkar, and Rajat Kapoor as Mahesh Deshmukh. Akshaye Khanna played IG Tarun Ahlawat in ‘Drishyam 2’.‘Drishyam 3’ is currently scheduled for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026.
