Ever since news of Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3 surfaced, it was commonly assumed that Dhurandhar’s success had changed the game, and the fallout may have been over remuneration issues. Turns out, that’s not the case. Drishyam franchise producer Kumar Mangat tells us, “I have no idea why Akshaye took that step. He left Drishyam 3 a day before Dhurandhar’s release on December 4. In the trials itself, he had a fair idea that Dhurandhar would do well. He didn’t quit Drishyam 3 over money issues because he had well predicted and considered Dhurandhar’s success while demanding his fees for Drishyam 3, and that was agreed upon.”“Akshaye Khanna was paid his signing amount after he was blown away by the script,” recalls Drishyam 3 producer Kumar Mangat, adding, “He hugged director Abhishek Pathak and told him this will easily make `500 crore. After he signed the agreement, his costumes were finalised and paid for. Just 12 days before the shoot was to commence on December 16, I got a text from him saying he wouldn’t be doing the film, and we would definitely work together in the future. I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer. He has a tendency to go MIA whenever he wants to and I am aware of that side of him, but this is highly unprofessional.”
‘How can you not respond to calls and messages?’Mangat further added, “We were also given an excuse that Akshaye quit because he wants to wear a wig, but that doesn’t sit well with the narrative. Drishyam 3 begins on the same night as the end of Drishyam 2, and one cannot grow hair in a matter of four hours. Abhishek still said we would take some creative liberties and work that out, but he never came to even discuss these things. At least walk out graciously. How can you not respond to calls and messages? We have known each other for 15 years! Why accept the money in the first place? Our deal was signed and sealed. Before I did Section 375 and Drishyam with him, he was sitting at home for four years. Is this how you behave once your film works? I have been in this industry for 40 years. Success and failure are common, but this behaviour is unethical and unpardonable.”‘Jaideep is a good addition to the Drishyam franchise’Mangat has sent a legal notice to Akshaye, but hasn’t heard from the actor yet. Meanwhile, Jaideep Ahalawat has been finalised to replace Akshaye. Mangat said, “We had to change our dates, rewrite the script to create a new character, and that has cost me over `1 crore, but jo hota hai acchhe ke liye hota hai. Jaideep is a good addition to the franchise. He is a good actor and a better human being. As far as Akshaye is concerned, never say never. I won’t say we will never work together in the future, as that’s how life is, but I am definitely hurt by his behaviour.”
