Actor Akshaye Khanna has once again found himself at the centre of headlines — not only for the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar, but also for the storm surrounding his exit from Drishyam 3. As discussions continue, an old interview from 2020 has resurfaced, where the actor spoke candidly about nepotism in Bollywood.
Akshaye Khanna On Nepotism And Opportunities
In the interview with Hindustan Times, Akshaye Khanna spoke honestly about the struggle of breaking into the industry.
“Wanting to be an actor and getting the opportunity are two different things. Millions of people want to be an actor,” he said. When asked what really helps in landing that first big break, he replied bluntly — “Nepotism — that works.”
The Drishyam 3 Controversy
Following the overwhelming success of Dhurandhar, reports suggest Akshaye Khanna demanded a major hike in remuneration and creative control, including changes to his character’s look in Drishyam 3. However, the makers — already deep into production planning — reportedly disagreed, leading to a breakdown in discussions.
NDTV confirmed earlier that Akshaye Khanna has officially exited the project. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has now revealed that Khanna’s fee was renegotiated three times. Eventually, the actor allegedly stopped responding altogether, after which the production house initiated legal proceedings. Meanwhile, acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat has been confirmed as his replacement.
Mangat further mentioned that disagreements even extended to Akshaye Khanna’s hairstyle for his character IG Tarun Ahlawat, adding that despite repeated efforts to resolve the matter, communication from the actor’s end reportedly ceased.
With Dhurandhar soaring and Drishyam 3 gearing up with a revamped cast, the spotlight remains firmly on Akshaye Khanna — both for his professional decisions and his outspoken take on Bollywood realities.