Filmmaker Priyadarshan has shared insights on working with Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna, particularly in light of the actor’s recent exit from Drishyam 3. Akshaye, who has been in the spotlight after his acclaimed performance in Dhurandhar, was replaced by Jaideep Ahlawat in the Ajay Devgn-starrer.
Priyadarshan, who has collaborated with Akshaye in films like Hungama (2003) and Hulchul (2004), revealed that he was initially advised against signing the actor. “In my first film with Akshaye Khanna, Doli Saja Ke Rakhna [1998], everybody had discouraged me from signing him on. They said he is difficult and moody. But I fell in love with him from the first film itself. I never found him difficult. If I called him at 5 am he would be there on time. He is a darling and we’ve never had a bitter moment together in the six films we did,” Priyadarshan told Mid-Day. He added that Akshaye is “least bothered by criticism.”
On Akshaye’s departure from Drishyam 3, producer Kumar Mangat stated that success sometimes goes to an actor’s head. “Sometimes, a side actor is cast in an ensemble. And when the film works, he/she thinks the film worked because of them. But a lot of people contribute to making a film a hit. When I had made Section 375 (2019) with Akshaye, he had no work for four years. After Drishyam 2, roles were written for him. We were such good friends, he would come to our office every month and have food with us. Achanak success sar pe chadh gayi,” Mangat told HT City.
While Akshaye is no longer part of Drishyam 3, he is set to reprise his role as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for release on March 19. Additionally, he will play Asuraguru Shukracharya in Prashanth Varma’s upcoming film Mahakali.