Akshaye Khanna Exits Drishyam 3; Old Nepotism Comments Resurface Amid Legal Threat

• Akshaye Khanna has exited Drishyam 3 due to unresolved disagreements over fees and creative choices, including his character's hairstyle.
• Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak of Panorama Studios confirmed the issues and stated that Jaideep Ahlawat will now replace Khanna in the film.
• Mangat mentioned that Khanna stopped responding to calls after multiple negotiations failed and Panorama Studios is considering legal action.
• A 2020 interview of Khanna with Hindustan Times resurfaced, where he openly stated that "nepotism" helped him get his first break in Bollywood.
• Drishyam 3 is scheduled for a 2026 release, with Jaideep Ahlawat now confirmed for the role, bringing the nepotism debate back into focus.

Why It Matters: Akshaye Khanna's Drishyam 3 exit and past nepotism comments spark fresh industry debate.