How Much Did Akshaye Khanna Demand For Drishyam 3 Before Walking Out After Dhurandhar Success?

Why did Akshaye Khanna walk out of Drishyam 3? This is one question that has been lingering in the minds of the fans since the makers announced the release date of the flick.

The announcement of Drishyam 3 should have been a routine celebration for fans of the franchise as the release date and confirmed the return of familiar faces like Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran and Rajat Kapoor. But instead of applause, one glaring omission stole the spotlight - Akshaye Khanna's name was missing.

And that's where the chatter began.

Akshaye played an important role in Drishyam 2, earning praise for his controlled, menacing performance. Add to that his recent winning streak with films like Dhurandhar and Chhaava, and fans were genuinely surprised to see him absent from the official cast list. Social media was quick to notice, and industry whispers soon followed.

As per a report in Bollywood Hungama, the remuneration issue forced the actor to opt out of the flick. The source claimed that the actor, riding high on back-to-back successes, asked Rs 21 crore remuneration, believing his current market value and screen presence justified the number.

The producers, however, weren't on the same page. Insiders say they were taken aback by the demand and tried to explain that such a fee would throw the film's budget completely off track. Akshaye, on his part, felt he had a solid case. With his recent performances boosting audience excitement, he believed his presence added significant value to the franchise.

Money wasn't the only sticking point, though. Another source revealed that there were creative differences as well. One of them revolved around Akshaye's look for the film. The actor reportedly wanted to wear a wig, a suggestion the makers weren't comfortable with, especially since his character appeared without one in Drishyam 2. Continuity, it seems, became a concern.

After several discussions and no middle ground in sight, both sides chose to part ways amicably. Since Akshaye Khanna's demands were not met, he decided to walk out of Drishyam 3. Of course, he wished the makers well. The parting happened on a good note and the makers hope to collaborate with Akshaye in future when they'll be on the same page," the insider claimed.

For now, Drishyam 3 moves ahead without one of its most talked-about characters, while Akshaye Khanna continues his strong run elsewhere. Whether the franchise will feel his absence remains to be seen, but one thing's certain - his exit has already added an extra layer of intrigue to the film.