After earning praise for his performance in Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna reportedly exited Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3, with claims suggesting that he was unwilling to go bald for the role and had also demanded a hefty fee.
While the actor has not issued any official statement on the matter, reports indicate that Jaideep Ahlawat has stepped in to replace him in the Drishyam franchise.
The development quickly took over social media, where users began sharing images of Jaideep Ahlawat’s bald avatar as Hathiram Chaudhary from Paatal Lok. One such image has gone viral, triggering a flood of witty and humorous reactions, with netizens poking fun at the casting decision and drawing playful comparisons between the characters.
One user commented, “They could have simply transferred Akshaye’s character and introduced new character to take the story forward.”
They could have simply transferred Akshaye’s character and introduced new character to take the story forward.
— Sameer Singh (@Imsamtheone) December 29, 2025
Another user commented, “Y trolling jaideep? What has he got to do with this controversy? He got an offer and he is doing his work he didnt removed akshay made controversy to come on the movie!!!!”
Y trolling jaideep? What has he got to do with this controversy? He got an offer and he is doing his work he didnt removed akshay made controversy to come on the movie!!!!
— Renuka (@Renuka1603) December 29, 2025
One user reacted, “He has already done bald guy role in a Netflix film with kareen kapoor I dnt remember the movie’s name. Good cast imo.”
He has already done bald guy role in a Netflix film with kareen kapoor I dnt remember the movie’s name. Good cast imo.
— Rahul Panwar (@rahulpnwr12) December 29, 2025
Another user reacted, “Not necessarily, a transfer would be shown, letters/Files shadows/back would be seen and a new officer would be inducted.”
Not necessarily, a transfer would be shown, letters/Files shadows/back would be seen and a new officer would be inducted.
— X-Ert=T-Rex (@GoogleAhead4584) December 29, 2025
One user said, “Jaideep Ahlawat’s entry makes Drishyam 3 look more intense. If continuity holds, the face-off will be solid.”
Jaideep Ahlawat’s entry makes Drishyam 3 look more intense.
If continuity holds, the face-off will be solid. 🔥
— 𝙑𝒊𝙣𝒂𝙮 𝙔𝒂𝙙𝒂𝙫 (@vinayyadav_73) December 29, 2025
About Akshaye Khanna’s exit, director Abhishek Pathak said, “He (Ajay) left it to me completely. Anyway, it’s more about me, Akshaye and the production. So, I would rather leave that aspect of how we dealt with it out. All this happened after the contract was signed in November. He left the movie five days before it was going on the floors. The look was locked, costumes were getting made, the narration had happened, and he loved the story.”
About Drishyam 3
Directed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3 will be the third instalment in the thriller franchise.
It is slated for release on October 2.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.mensxp.com ’
