Akshaye Khanna who has grabbed the headlines after Drishyam 3 and after the success of Dhurandhar released in December 2025 the actor has been in applauded and appreciated by the audience, and fans across the country. 

Priyadarshan revealed the Drishyam 3 producer Kumar Mangat Pathak had discouraged to sign Akshaye Khanna. During the making of Doli Saja Ke Rakhna he was told the actor is difficult and moody and that in Drishyam 3, he had demanded to wear a wig after the success of Dhurandhar.   He was further called unprofessional .

Akshaye Khanna on-set behaviour . 

Priyadarshan recalled during the casting of Doli Saja Ke Rakhna in 1998, everyone had discouraged him in signing  Akshaye Khanna and it was his first film with the actor. They had said he is moody and very unprofessional. However, his own experience with him turned out completely opposite to what was being told to him.  Akshaye Khanna was a darling and the producer and the actor never had a bitter moment together in fact criticism doesn’t bother the Akshaye Khanna and he never found him difficult but the fact is he said he fell in love with him from the first film itself.  Together they did six films.

After their first collaboration in Doli Saja Ke Rakhna the duo hit off with films like Aakrosh, Hulchal and Hungama among few others.

What did Drishyam 3 producer say about Akshaye Khanna ?

Kumar Mangat Pathak, in an interview, said that Akshaye Khanna had left the shoot despite signing a contract. The filmmaker added that Akshaye Khanna had insisted on wearing a wig, which would have hampered the film’s continuity, and hence his request was denied. 

He further added that the Drishyam franchise is headed by Ajay Devgn while Chhaava is a Vicky Kaushal film, and the same goes for Dhurandhar, it is Ranveer Singh starrer. He was upset that Akshaye Khanna thinks he can be a superstar hero, but he should do a solo film for that. Some actors do ensemble with great acting skills in a multi-star cast, but the film is carried forward by the main lead, the hero of the film and these films go on to become hits.  Even though the supporting star cast or other stars ensemble in the same film may be very good, they can’t think they are superstars and success should not go into their heads. Like Dhurandhar is success is because of him. He needs to understand that there were many factors leading to the success of Dhurandhar and not him alone. 

Akshaye Khanna meanwhile is riding high on the success of the film Dhurandhar, crossing 1,200 crore mark worldwide at the box office and is one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films .