Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 27: Film producer Kumar Mangat Pathak on Saturday said a legal notice has been served to actor Akshaye Khanna for allegedly breaching the agreement for the upcoming film Drishyam 3, after the actor reportedly withdrew from the project through a text message.

Speaking to PTI, Mangat Pathak said an agreement was signed with Khanna last month and the actor was paid an advance amount. “We had been working on Drishyam 3 for the last two years and Akshaye was fully aware of the project. He liked the script and only after multiple rounds of fee negotiations did we finalise and sign the agreement,” he said.

According to the producer, Khanna’s remuneration for Drishyam 3 was nearly three times higher than what he received for Drishyam 2, where he played IG Tarun Ahlawat. The agreement was signed at the actor’s farmhouse in Alibaug after detailed discussions, including on his look for the film.

“There were discussions about his look. He wanted to wear a wig, but we felt it wouldn’t look authentic. He agreed, hugged the director Abhishek Pathak, and even said the film would be a Rs 500-crore project,” Mangat Pathak claimed.

However, the producer alleged that Khanna abruptly opted out of the film via a message and subsequently stopped responding to calls and messages. “He sent a text saying he wasn’t doing the film. After that, there was no response. This happened just a day or two before the release of Dhurandhar,” he added.

With the shooting schedule getting affected and losses mounting, the makers decided to sign actor Jaideep Ahlawat for the role. The producer said filming had already begun on December 18 at YRF Studios and Khanna had committed dates till March.

Left with no alternative, the producers issued a legal notice last week, asking the actor to honour the agreement or face legal action. “It has been a week and there has been no response from his side,” Mangat Pathak said, adding that the next course of action will be decided soon.

Expressing disappointment, the veteran producer said he had previously worked with Khanna on Aakrosh and Section 375 without any issues. “We never had differences in the past. What is happening now is completely wrong,” he remarked.

Written and directed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3 is presented by Star Studio18 and produced by Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on October 2, 2026.