Akshaye Khanna may have missed out on a major opportunity with Drishyam 3, as the role he was initially associated with eventually went to Jaideep Ahlawat.
Reports surrounding Khanna’s exit point to disagreements with the makers, with two issues emerging: his remuneration and his reported preference for wearing a wig.
According to reports, Khanna wanted to wear a wig, but the makers were concerned about continuity because his character appeared without one in Drishyam 2. The makers reportedly wanted him to retain his natural look to avoid continuity issues.
There were also reports that, after the success of Dhurandhar, Khanna’s remuneration became another point of discussion.
Whatever the exact reason, Khanna eventually missed out on the role, and Jaideep Ahlawat stepped in. The casting now appears to have worked in Ahlawat’s favour, with his performance becoming one of the most talked-about aspects of the film.
Many reviews have praised Ahlawat’s presence, suggesting that he manages to dominate several scenes opposite Ajay Devgn. His performance has also led many viewers to say that he is one of the major reasons to watch the film.
In hindsight, what looked like a missed opportunity for Khanna has turned into a bumper opportunity for Ahlawat.
