The Bollywood industry is reeling from a high-profile showdown between veteran producer Kumar Mangat Pathak and actor Akshaye Khanna. Following the record-breaking success of the spy-thriller Dhurandhar, reports have surfaced that Khanna has been served a legal notice for allegedly walking out of Drishyam 3 just ten days before filming was scheduled to begin at YRF Studios.
The Root of the Conflict: Fees and “Wig” Wars
According to Kumar Mangat, the fallout stems from a series of “unprofessional” demands made by the actor after his character, Rehman Dakait, went viral in Dhurandhar. The producer alleged that Khanna, who was set to reprise his role as IG Tarun Ahlawat, renegotiated his salary three times, eventually demanding a fee of ₹21 crore—nearly triple his remuneration for Drishyam 2.
Beyond the financial friction, a bizarre creative dispute regarding a hair wig became the breaking point. Mangat explained:
“Drishyam 3 starts exactly where the second part ended. How can the character suddenly grow a full head of hair in four hours? It would destroy the film’s continuity.”
While the actor initially agreed to maintain his bald look, the producer claims that Khanna’s “entourage” later convinced him that he would look “smarter” with hair, leading to a stalemate.
Allegations of “Toxic Energy”
In a scathing interview with Bollywood Hungama, Mangat did not hold back, labeling Khanna’s energy on set as “absolutely toxic.” He claimed that he supported the actor during his leanest phase by casting him in Section 375 (2019) when “no one else was willing to work with him.”
Mangat further dismissed Khanna’s newfound “superstar” status, stating that while Dhurandhar and Chhaava are massive hits, they are fronted by stars like Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal. “If Akshaye does a solo film, it won’t even collect ₹50 crore,” Mangat remarked, suggesting that the success of his recent ensemble projects has “gone to his head.”
Recasting and Legal Fallout
The production house, Panorama Studios, has moved swiftly to mitigate losses. Jaideep Ahlawat (of Paatal Lok fame) has officially replaced Akshaye Khanna. Mangat described the change as a “blessing in disguise,” praising Ahlawat as both a superior actor and a better professional.
As of today, December 28, 2025:
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Legal Action: A legal notice has been sent to Khanna for breach of contract and recovery of financial losses incurred due to dismantled sets.
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Production Status: Filming has resumed with the new cast.
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Release Date: Drishyam 3, starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu, remains on track for an October 2, 2026 release.
Akshaye Khanna has yet to issue a public statement regarding these allegations or the legal notice.
