Akshaye Khanna‘s “Unprofessionalism”: Director & Producer Disputes Emerge After ‘Drishyam 3‘ Walkout
Recent headlines have focused on Akshaye Khanna, following his departure from Drishyam 3 after the massive success of Dhurandhar. While Khanna’s performance in Dhurandhar propelled him to a career high, his exit from the highly anticipated sequel has sparked controversy and accusations of unprofessional behaviour. This article delves into the unfolding situation, examining statements from both producer Kumar Mangat and director Manish Gupta to provide a complete overview.
The Drishyam 3 Dispute: What Happened?
Akshaye Khanna’s decision to leave Drishyam 3, starring Ajay Devgn, reportedly stemmed from disagreements regarding financial compensation and creative control. This abrupt departure, occurring after Dhurandhar grossed over $120 million worldwide, drew sharp criticism from producer Kumar Mangat.
Mangat publicly stated that Khanna’s “head has gone up” with his recent success and hinted at potential legal action due to the last-minute withdrawal. But this isn’t the first time concerns have been raised about Khanna’s conduct on set.
Director Manish Gupta’s Past Claims of Difficulties
An older interview with Manish Gupta, director of the 2019 courtroom drama section 375, has resurfaced, shedding light on past challenges working with Khanna. Gupta’s candid assessment paints a picture of a demanding and difficult actor.
Here’s what Gupta revealed about his experience:
* Whimsical and Lazy: Gupta described Khanna as “extremely whimsical, very lazy,” and someone who created a challenging work habitat.
* Disregard for Collaboration: According to Gupta, Khanna insisted on having everything done his way, refusing to listen to input from others.
* Disrespectful Behavior: Gupta alleged that Khanna routinely disrespected those around him, making collaboration exceptionally difficult.
“He is the most difficult person I have ever worked with,” Gupta stated, adding that Khanna’s behavior created a tense atmosphere on set.
Section 375: A Dispute Over credit and Control
Gupta’s issues with Khanna extended beyond on-set behavior. He also claims he was unfairly denied due credit for his work on Section 375.
Gupta asserts he:
* Wrote the entire screenplay.
* Managed the entire production process.
* Personally recruited the film’s lead actors, including Khanna, Richa Chadha, and Rahul bhat.
* Served as the film’s director.
Despite this, Gupta alleges that both Khanna and producer Kumar Mangat engaged in “dirty politics,” limiting his credit to writng only. He feels he was deliberately sidelined despite his comprehensive involvement in the project.
“I wrote the entire film and handled the entire production myself…But such dirty politics were played by the producer and the lead actor that I was given credit only for writing, even though I had directed the film,” Gupta explained.
Current Status & Unanswered Questions
As of now, neither Akshaye Khanna nor kumar Mangat have publicly responded to Manish Gupta’s allegations. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated.
This unfolding drama raises questions about professional conduct within the Bollywood industry and the power dynamics between actors, directors, and producers. You can expect further updates as this story develops.