Akshaye Khanna has reportedly exited the upcoming Drishyam 3 due to a high fee demand (≈ ₹21 crore), sparking industry talk about casting and pay structures.
The news of Akshaye Khanna’s exit from the forthcoming “Drishyam 3” has set off a chain of reactions in the whole of Bollywood and the media. It is reported that Akshaye had demanded a price of approximately ₹21 crore, which was hard to reconcile with their budgeting framework. Although neither of the two has made an official announcement regarding the reason for his exit from “Drishyam 3,” it has reignited an entire dialogue regarding actor compensation and sustainability in Hindi cinema.
Drishyam series is one of the most appreciated thriller series in Indian cinema. With Drishyam (2015) and Drishyam 2 (2022), it received acclaim for compelling narratives, performances, and box office success, so there are huge expectations with the third part. His departure with IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2 is a major piece of information considering his much-appreciated stint in Drishyam 2.
This piece delves into the matter in-depth, tackling Akshaye Khanna’s career arc, the economic conditions of Drishyam 3, the structures of remuneration in Bollywood, the struggles of casting for franchises, and the implications of this incident on the future of Hindi cinema.
Akshaye Khanna: His Career Established on Credibility Rather Than Stardom
A Selective Actor with Strong Screen Presence
Akshaye Khanna has always been an unusual face in Bollywood. Unlike most of his peers, he never actively pursued superstardom. He chose to establish himself as a seasoned actor. He is known for delivering concentrated performances throughout his acting career.
With movies such as BORDER, DIL CHAHTA HAI, and HUNGAMA, Akshaye Khanna has shown him to be an extremely versatile actor, and then comes GANDHI, MY FATHER, SECTION 375, and DRISHYAM 2,
Comeback and Renewed Demand
There was a quiet period in the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, his career had a revival when Akshaye Khanna:
“Ittefaq
Section 375
Drishyam 2
His performance as a sharp and complex police character in the movie “Drishyam 2” was one of the notable aspects of the film. Public reaction and critical appreciation have definitely raised his market value, and he is now classified among the most sought-after character actors rather than a superstar.
The Drishyam Franchise: Success through
Why Drishyam Is a Rare Franchise
Contrary to the norm in Bollywood franchises, Drishyam prospers in the following ways:
Strong script
_rgba
Increased psychological tension
Moral dilemmas.
Strong performances
One major factor that separates the “Rock On” franchise is the subtle acting performance by Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar and the presence of supporting characters
Box Office Result
Drishyam (2015) – Moderate budget and word-of-mouth success
Drishyam 2 (2022) – Massive hit after the pandemic, grossing over Rs. 340
This enhanced performance also led to increased expectations for Drishyam 3 but has added to the increased production and casting costs.
₹21 Crore Fee Controversy: What Apparently Happened
As per sources from the film industry, Akshaye Khanna had asked for an amount of approximately ₹21 crore for Drishyam 3. The producers were apparently of the opinion that:
The sum was rather excessive for a supporting character
It would impact the budget of the overall film
It may set a precedent for what is to come in the negotiations
This led to a halt in talks, which in turn resulted in him leaving.
The Reasonableness of the Fee
From the actor’s perspective:
The success of Drishyam 2 increased his leverage considerably
His character was an essential antagonist, not just a cameo in support
Similar actors playing similar roles within other franchises earn more
From the producers’ point of view:
Ajay Devgn has a committed market share of the budget already
Strength of the franchise is in its stories, and not actors
Budget inflation might have implications for profitability.
“The international campaign to boycott Israeli goods is not about hurting Israel’s economy but about keeping people aware of the
The Evolving Salary Packages of Bollywood Actors
Traditional Pay ModelDigital Payment Methods
The traditional Bollywood film industry had a star system where:
Top stars received huge signing on fees
Supporting actors were paid low sums
Producers took in most of the financial risk
This model could be used when theatrical revenue streams are more predictable.
After the Pandemic
The industry has seen the following after the COVID-
Increased production costs
In order
Uncertain box office results
This is
Rise in use of OTT deals
Increased focus on actor salaries
Producers are now wondering whether the cost is feasible, especially for a franchise movie.
Despite many people being of normal height, most character actors are shorter than stars.
Blurring Lines
People like Akshaye Khanna, Pankaj Tripathi, Manoj Bajpayee, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Not Conventional “Stars”
However, key box office and content motivations
Frequently scene-stealers in ensemble movies
It has complex payment terms, such that producers are unable to fit it into the predefined pay brackets.
Rising Fees Across All Disciplinesीकरण
In recent years:
The acting fee paid to character actors has risen significantly
OTT platforms have normalized higher payments
Because the OT
Actors also rate roles based on their value in the market, and not based on screen time. This means that
Akshaye Khanna’s demand, as reported, symbolically reflects a similar
Franchise Economics and Casting ConundrumsAt
To Recast or Not?
Producers are faced with an important choice:
Recast Role of IG Tarun Ahlawat
Make changes to the screenplay regarding the presence of the character
Negotiate profit-sharing terms instead of charging higher initial fees
All choices have associated risks.
Viewer Attachment vs. Practicality
Often, the audience builds an attachment with the character. This process could be affected by the
Disrupt Continuity
Invite critique on social media
Distract from the story
However, the international franchises have shown that quality content can trump changes in the casting of a show.
Ajay Devgn’s Pivotal Role in Budget Allocation
Ajay Devgn is the star of the franchise, apart from being a creative participant in some way or the other. His salary is said to be contributing substantially to the budget.
This creates a dilemma:
Can the production afford another actor of high fee?
Should revenue-sharing models substitute for upfront payments?
Many showalter prefer the back-end profit-sharing agreement, but not all actors concur.
Role of OTT in Actor’s Expectations
Introduction
Introduction
What is OTT
“The OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar are characterized by:
Provided guaranteed payments that were higher for actors
Less reliance on box office revenue
More creative freedom
Actors have begun to compare theater paychecks with OTT paychecks.
Effect on Drishyam 3
Given that Drishyam 2 received exceptional box office returns, it can be inferred that the producers are, in this case, giving importance to box office returns, thereby being apprehensive about high production expenses
Reactions in the Industry and Silent Supporters
Producer Concerns
Because of the billing system, many producers feel that there should be more control over actor fees, fearing
Unsustainable budgets
Lower margins
Greater financial risk
Actor Solidarity
At the same time, actors contend that:
Their performance: It has been identified as contributing directly to film success
Market demand will dictate the amount that will be charged
Undervaluing Creativity
In
How the Akshaye Khanna incident has become a symbolic turning point.
Could This Affect Akshaye Khanna’s Image?
Limited Long-Term Damage
With his reputation:
He has been known to be selective.
Not overexposed
Of unimpeachable integrity
Industry experts think that this experience will in no way affect his future.
Strategic Pause vs. Negotiation Ploy?
Some may think that the withdrawal that was reported might be:
A negotiation strategy
If you
“This clearance was
Or media speculation
Exits inollywood films are frequently reversed when terms match.
Conclusion
Bollywood has learned
- Demand for Transparent Pay Models
It could decrease conflicts if there was clarity around compensation that was
- Balancing Art and Commerce
There must be consistency between creativity and finances.
- Franchise Planning
Long contracts can play an important role in ensuring that artists do
- Appreciation for Ensemble Casts
The importance of well-structured supporting characters needs to be acknowledged. The Future Outlook of Drishyam 3 The Drishyam 3 production team has critical decisions ahead of them: Finalize casting immediately in order to avoid delays. Continue a narrative Control budgets without compromising quality Given the strong foundation that the franchise has, the movie is expected to move forward successfully, with or without Akshaye Khanna. Conclusion Akshaye Khanna’s apparent departure from the third installment of Drishyam due to his ₹21 crore fee demand is more than an only casting update – it is the representation of the changing tides of the Bollywood industry’s economy. As the Hindi film industry moves forward in its attempt to find a new normal after the pandemic, similar events will soon become a regular occurrence. This could happen through profit-sharing, flexible contracts, or compensation models. For the audience, the hope is the same: that Drishyam 3 will retain strong storytelling, no matter who is cast. For Bollywood, this event is a wake-up call: that content may be king, but economics still rules the kingdom.
