In a dramatic turn of events within the Bollywood trade, the record-breaking success of the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar has sparked a heated debate regarding star remunerations. Following his widely acclaimed performance as the antagonist Rehman Dakait, actor Akshaye Khanna reportedly increased his fees significantly- a move that has allegedly led to his exit from the highly anticipated Drishyam 3.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has rewritten box office history, officially becoming the highest-earning Hindi film of all time in early 2026. The film, which also stars Ranveer Singh, crossed the historic ₹1,200 crore mark globally. Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of a Karachi-based gangster and his viral dance sequence in the song “FA9LA” were cited as major drivers of the film’s massive repeat audience. With this success, Akshaye joined an elite league, becoming the second Indian actor after Shah Rukh Khan to deliver over ₹2,000 crore at the box office in a single calendar year following his previous hit, Chhaava.
The professional friction began when negotiations for Drishyam 3—where Akshaye was expected to reprise his role as the sharp-witted IG Thomas Bastian—reportedly hit a stalemate. Industry reports suggest the actor demanded a fee of approximately ₹21 crore, citing his current market value and back-to-back blockbusters.
However, the producers were reportedly unable to meet this hike, leading to “creative and financial differences” that resulted in Akshaye leaving the project.
Veteran film exhibitor Manoj Desai, Executive Director of the G7 Multiplex (Gaiety Galaxy), shared a candid critique of the situation. In a recent interview, Desai expressed his disagreement with the actor’s decision to hike fees so abruptly.
“Whenever a star gets success—even if it’s from a three- or four-minute song—they should maintain a little calm afterward. That’s my personal thinking. Staying grounded after a hit is crucial for long-term survival in this industry.”
Desai emphasized that while an actor’s performance in Dhurandhar was stellar, losing a franchise like Drishyam over fee negotiations might be a tactical error in the long run.
Despite the Drishyam 3 storm, Akshaye Khanna remains one of the busiest actors in the industry. He has already moved on to his next big venture, Mahakali, which marks his high-profile Telugu cinema debut. Additionally, due to the massive success of Dhurandhar, a sequel has already been announced and is slated for a March 19, 2026 release.