Drishyam 3: Ajay Devgn’s Fee, Akshaye Khanna Exit, New Cast and Drishyam 4 Update

Drishyam 3: The Conclusion has reached theatres on October 2, 2026, with Ajay Devgn returning as Vijay Salgaonkar alongside Tabu, Shriya Saran and the returning cast. One of the biggest changes from the earlier plans is Akshaye Khanna's absence, with Jaideep Ahlawat joining the film instead. The Times of India

The casting change has generated several questions online, including why Akshaye Khanna left, how much he was reportedly asking for, who replaced him and whether the Hindi franchise will continue after the third film.

What happened to Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3?

Akshaye Khanna was initially associated with Drishyam 3 after playing IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2. However, he subsequently exited the project before filming began, and Jaideep Ahlawat joined the cast. Hindustan Times

The exact circumstances surrounding his departure have been reported differently by various publications. Reports have cited disagreements around remuneration and other contractual or creative matters, but these should not be treated as an officially confirmed single explanation unless directly confirmed by the actor or filmmakers.

Why did Akshaye Khanna leave Drishyam 3?

One widely reported version concerned remuneration. The Times of India and Bollywood Hungama reported that Khanna had sought a fee of around ₹21 crore, along with a request related to his hair and wig requirements. The Times of India

Other reports have described the departure more broadly as a dispute or disagreement.

So, the safest answer is that Akshaye Khanna exited Drishyam 3 following reported disagreements, with remuneration among the reasons cited by entertainment publications. There is no need to present every reported detail as an established fact.

Who replaced Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3?

Jaideep Ahlawat replaced Akshaye Khanna in the Hindi film.

Ahlawat joined the project after Khanna's departure and appears in the final cast alongside Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran and other returning actors. Hindustan Times

This casting change also means that audiences expecting the same investigative character from Drishyam 2 will see a different actor in the third instalment.

How much does Ajay Devgn charge for Drishyam 3?

There have been various reports about Ajay Devgn's remuneration for Drishyam 3, but there is no reliable official figure publicly confirmed by the actor or producers that should be presented as his final fee.

Celebrity salary figures are frequently reported by entertainment portals and can differ substantially depending on whether they include profit participation, production arrangements or other compensation.

For that reason, claims about a specific Ajay Devgn fee should be treated as reported estimates rather than confirmed information.

Who plays Shreya in Drishyam 3?

Shriya Saran returns as Nandini Salgaonkar, Vijay's wife, in the Hindi Drishyam franchise.

She reprises the role alongside Ajay Devgn, with the Salgaonkar family once again at the centre of the story.

The principal cast also includes Tabu, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj. Cinema Express

Is Drishyam 3 the last movie?

The Hindi film is officially titled Drishyam: The Conclusion, signalling that the makers are presenting it as the concluding chapter of the Hindi storyline.

The film is directed by Abhishek Pathak, who also directed Drishyam 2. The story continues from the events of the previous Hindi films and brings Vijay Salgaonkar's story to its planned conclusion. The Times of India

However, a title such as The Conclusion does not by itself establish that no future spin-off, remake or separate continuation could ever be made.

Is Drishyam 4 coming?

There is currently no confirmed announcement of a Hindi Drishyam 4.

The third film has been positioned as the conclusion of the Hindi franchise, so a fourth instalment should not be reported as confirmed unless the filmmakers announce one.

The Malayalam Drishyam franchise is a separate consideration, with its own continuity and characters. The Hindi films are adaptations of the Malayalam franchise rather than simply continuing the exact same production timeline. Wikipedia

Is Drishyam 3 a good movie?

The answer depends on individual viewing preferences, but early reviews published on October 2 have highlighted the performances of Ajay Devgn and Tabu and the film's attempt to close the franchise's story. The Indian Express described it as a satisfying conclusion, while other coverage has focused on the film's suspense and returning characters. The Indian Express

For audiences who have followed Vijay Salgaonkar's story from the first two Hindi films, the biggest draw is seeing how the filmmakers resolve the unresolved threads surrounding the family.

Who is richer, Kajol or Ajay Devgn?

Ajay Devgn and Kajol are both among Hindi cinema's established stars, but exact personal net-worth figures are not publicly verified financial statements.

Entertainment websites frequently publish estimates, but those figures can vary depending on how properties, investments, production companies, brand deals and other assets are calculated.

Therefore, online net-worth comparisons should be treated as estimates rather than audited figures.

How much did Akshaye Khanna charge for Drishyam?

Reports surrounding Drishyam 3 claimed that Akshaye Khanna sought approximately ₹21 crore as remuneration. This figure was reported by entertainment publications in connection with his eventual exit from the project. The Times of India

It is important to distinguish a reported fee demand from a confirmed amount actually paid to an actor. Since Khanna exited the film, the reported figure should not be described as his final Drishyam 3 salary.

Drishyam 3 cast: Who is in the movie?

The main Hindi cast includes:

The film brings back several central actors from the previous Hindi instalments while adding new faces to the story. Cinema Express

Drishyam 3 vs Drishyam 2: What's changed?

The biggest change audiences will immediately notice is the cast behind the investigation storyline.

The third film is designed to take the story forward rather than simply repeat the central setup of the previous movies.

Will there be another Drishyam movie after Drishyam 3?

For now, there is no confirmed Hindi Drishyam 4 announcement.

With Drishyam: The Conclusion being presented as the final chapter, the immediate focus is on how Vijay Salgaonkar's story is wrapped up. Any future Hindi sequel or spin-off would require a separate official announcement from the filmmakers.

FAQs

How much does Ajay Devgn charge for Drishyam 3?
His exact final remuneration has not been officially confirmed. Reported celebrity salary figures should therefore be treated as estimates.

Why did Akshaye Khanna leave Drishyam 3?
Reports cited disagreements, including remuneration. Some reports specifically claimed a ₹21 crore fee demand, but this should be treated as reported information rather than an independently confirmed final figure. The Times of India

Who replaced Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3?
Jaideep Ahlawat joined the Hindi film after Akshaye Khanna exited the project. Hindustan Times

Is Drishyam 4 coming?
There is no confirmed announcement of a Hindi Drishyam 4. The third film has been presented as Drishyam: The Conclusion. The Times of India

Who played Shreya in Drishyam 3?
Shriya Saran returns to the Hindi franchise as Nandini Salgaonkar.