Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna has reportedly withdrawn from Ajay Devgn's highly anticipated "Drishyam 3". This development follows the massive box office triumph of Khanna's recent film "Dhurandhar," which has grossed over ₹935 crore worldwide. Re^[1][2]ports suggest the actor's departure from the crime thriller franchise stems from disagreements over his remuneration and demands for significant creative changes to his character. Ne^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}ither Khanna nor the film's producers have issued an official statement regarding his exit, but negotiations are reportedly still ongoing. #^{[3][4][5][6][7][13][8][9][10][11][12][14]}## Khanna's Resurgence and "Dhurandhar" Triumph Akshaye Khanna is enjoying a stellar year in 2025, delivering back-to-back successes with "Chhaava" and "Dhurandhar". He^[15] started the year portraying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in "Chhaava". Hi^[15]s performance as Rehman Dakait, a Karachi gangster, in the recently released spy action thriller "Dhurandhar" garnered widespread critical acclaim and immense popularity. Th^{[3][8][9][10][11][15]}e film, which hit theaters on December 5, 2025, quickly became a blockbuster. "^[12][16][1]Dhurandhar" has achieved significant box office milestones, accumulating more than ₹607 crore at the domestic box office within 20 days. Glob^[17][16]ally, the film has recorded a staggering ₹935.17 crore, making it the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. It als^[1]o holds the distinction of being the biggest adult-rated Indian film ever at the global box office. The mo^[17][1]vie has surpassed the lifetime global collection of Ranbir Kapoor's "Animal" (2023), which stood at ₹915 crore. Furtherm^[17][2]ore, "Dhurandhar" has become the highest third-week grosser at the Hindi box office, beating Allu Arjun's "Pushpa 2 – The Rule". Khanna's i^[17]ntense portrayal in "Dhurandhar," particularly his dance in the song “FA9LA,” has gone viral, keeping social media buzzing and further amplifying his market value. ### Remunerat^[11][15]ion and Creative Differences Following the overwhelming commercial success of "Dhurandhar," Akshaye Khanna reportedly sought a substantial increase in his fee for his role in "Drishyam 3". Sources indica^{[3][4][5][6][7][13][8][9][10][11][12][15]}te that financial negotiations between Khanna and the film's producers reached a deadlock. In addition to^{[6][7][9][10][11][12]} monetary concerns, Khanna also reportedly requested significant alterations to his character's on-screen appearance and overall portrayal in the upcoming installment. These creative^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]} differences reportedly did not align with the makers' vision for the film. One report su^[5][10]ggests that Khanna's decision to step away is partly driven by a desire to avoid being typecast in negative or grey roles, especially after his acclaimed performance with such shades in "Dhurandhar". His character ^[18]in "Dhurandhar," Rehman Dakait, had a strong negative presence. This reported ^[3][8][15]stance reflects an actor's evolving career choices after a significant hit. ### The "Drishyam" Franchise and Khanna's Role "Drishyam 3" is a highly anticipated crime thriller, with Ajay Devgn set to reprise his iconic role as Vijay Salgaonkar. The film is sc^{[19][20][10][12][14][21]}heduled for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026, a date that holds special significance within the franchise's intricate storyline. Other returnin^{[22][5][19][20][23][12][14]}g cast members include Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, and Rajat Kapoor. Abhishek Patha^{[19][20][10][23][21]}k is directing the film. The Hindi "Dr^{[5][19][20][10][12][14][21]}ishyam" series began in 2015 as a remake of an acclaimed Malayalam thriller. The first inst^[19]allment, directed by the late Nishikant Kamat, chronicled how a seemingly ordinary Goan family man shields his family after a crime. It resonated s^[19]trongly with audiences, collecting ₹197 crore globally. Its sequel, rele^[19][20]ased in 2022, proved to be an even bigger success, earning ₹345 crore worldwide and prompting the makers to greenlight a third film soon after. Akshaye Khanna pla^[19][20]yed a crucial role as IG Tarun Ahlawat, a determined and sharp police officer, in "Drishyam 2". His character was ^{[22][13][8][24][15]}instrumental in the investigation against Vijay Salgaonkar, adding a significant layer of suspense and intensity to the sequel. Fans widely praise^[24][15]d his performance, and his return was largely expected for the third part of the franchise. ### Impact and Fu^[22][24]ture Outlook The reported exit of a key actor like Akshaye Khanna, especially after his impactful performance in the previous installment, could significantly influence audience expectations and the film's overall production. While the news has^[12] generated considerable buzz, the lack of official confirmation from either party keeps the possibility open for a resolution. Industry sources s^{[3][4][5][6][7][13][8][9][10][11][12][14]}uggest that conversations may still be ongoing, hinting that a middle ground could be reached. The "Drishyam 3" ^{[3][5][7][9][10][11][12][24]}team is currently in production, with filming expected to wrap in the first half of next year. This situation hig^[19][20]hlights the dynamic nature of casting and negotiations in the Indian film industry, particularly when a star's market value significantly increases after a major box office success. Fans of the "Drishyam" franchise are eagerly awaiting clarity on whether Akshaye Khanna's departure is final or if he will ultimately return to reprise his role.

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