Did Jaideep Ahlawat take over Akshaye Khanna’s role in Drishyam 3? Ajay Devgn and Jaideep Ahlawat set the record straight on the casting drama.
When the first reports surfaced about Akshaye Khanna stepping away from Ajay Devgn-Tabu starrer Drishyam 3, it sent shockwaves through Bollywood fans. The actor’s stern, sharp-witted portrayal of IG Tarun Ahlawat had been a highlight of the previous film, making his sudden departure a massive talking point.
Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak claimed the exit stemmed from a financial dispute following the success of Akshaye’s other projects. The fallout was so intense that legal notices were allegedly sent. Soon after, news broke that acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat was joining the cast, leading nearly everyone to assume that he was stepping in to play the exact same role.
However, at the trailer launch event of Drishyam 3 in Goa, the team behind the blockbuster franchise finally set the record straight, revealing that Jaideep is not a direct replacement at all. Instead, the script underwent a massive rewrite to introduce an entirely new character with a unique background, fresh motives, and an original dynamic with Tabu’s character, Meera.
Addressing the intense fan chatter, Jaideep explained that the story never positioned him as Akshaye Khanna’s replacement. He said that one character’s journey had ended and another was beginning, and that he didn’t see any benefit in taking pressure from the earlier role.
For him, there was no comparison as an actor because his journey, introduction, and relationship with Meera (Tabu’s character) were all going to be fresh. He emphasized that his character would have an individualistic approach, not existing because of someone else, but carrying his own path. Ahlawat added that the writing had shaped this journey very well, which is why he felt no pressure stepping into it.
The shift in cast also reflects a bigger structural change for the third installment. Lead star Ajay Devgn shared that the new story scales up the tension significantly to keep the narrative from feeling repetitive. Since local law enforcement hit a dead end in the previous movies, the higher-level Crime Branch is now stepping in to take over the unsolved case.
Producer Kumar Mangat chose not to share the details of the legal issue with Akshaye, while pointing out that Ajay wisely stayed away from the business side of the matter. The team, however, is confident that the new investigative twist and Jaideep’s strong role will deliver the bigger, bolder thriller audiences have been waiting for.
Drishyam 3 is slated to hit the theatrical screens on October 2, 2026.
