MUMBAI: According to an India Today story, actor Akshaye Kumar has refused to take or answer producer Kumar Mangat Pathak’s phone calls due to certain disaggrements in the upcoming film Drishyam 3.
In fact, Mangat has confirmed that Jaideep Ahlawat has replaced Akshaye Khanna in the project, after the latter began ‘behaving unprofessionally’ after the success of Dhurandhar.
Mangat said he has sent Khanna a legal notice and demanded return of the monies paid to him as advance, as Khanna refused to do the film.
Mangat accused Akshaye of unprofessional conduct including an abrupt exit from the project just days before filming.
Kumar told India Today that Akshaye was signed for the film after extensive negotiations and a formal agreement, but the latter withdrew ten days before his scheduled shoot. According to him, Akshaye initially agreed not to wear a wig for continuity reasons, but later reversed his decision after advice from his entourage and team.
“The time given to Akshaye is now over. Whatever legal action needs to be taken will be handled by our legal team,” Mangat said, confirming that a legal notice has already been sent. He added that no response has been received from the actor’s side so far. “No, there has been no reply. No response at all.”
“When I made a film, Section 375, he had been sitting at home for almost four years. Nobody was going to him. I made films with him, I gave him Drishyam. After Drishyam, I told him that after this film, people will start writing roles for you,” Mangat told India Today.
He alleged that despite signing the agreement and accepting the payment, the actor later backed out. “Everything was done. He took the money from me, signed the agreement, and after that, he turned around and refused.” Attempts to resolve the issue amicably, Mangat said, were unsuccessful. “We tried to speak to him, but he doesn’t take calls. He doesn’t reply to messages. This is an unprofessional way of working,” Mangat was quoted by India Today.
The producer pointed out that the withdrawal came after all creative discussions had been finalised and expenses incurred. “Four days earlier, you are hugging the director, praising the film, and four days later, you stop answering calls. I had paid the costume designer, agreements were signed, looks were decided. Money was spent.”
One of the key points of contention revolved around the actor’s appearance, particularly his hair, which Mangat said became a sudden issue despite earlier approvals.
“Everything was discussed and decided. Then suddenly one day he says he wants to grow his hair. Abhishek told him that the film picks up from the same night it ended, where will four hours of hair come from?” Mangat recalled. While the team tried to accommodate further discussions, the actor allegedly stopped engaging altogether. “He said he agreed with us, but later people around him started influencing him again. When the director asked to meet and discuss, there was no response. No calls, no messages.”
Eventually, the actor communicated his decision to move out of the film. “Then he sent a message saying he won’t do it,” Mangat confirmed to India Today.
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