📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
Entertainment
Drishyam 3 director calls for law to curb last‑minute actor exits
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 25 Sep 2026, 10:37 AM
👁 7
The director of the upcoming film Drishyam 3 has urged the government to enact legislation preventing actors from quitting projects at the eleventh hour, citing recent incidents such as Akshaye Khanna’s withdrawal.
The filmmaker behind the anticipated sequel Drishyam 3 has publicly appealed for a statutory measure that would stop actors from abandoning a film after they have signed on. In a recent interview, he highlighted the disruption caused when established stars walk out of a project close to the start of shooting, forcing producers to scramble for replacements and inflating budgets.
He specifically referenced the case of veteran actor Akshaye Khanna, who withdrew from the Drishyam 3 cast at a late stage, prompting the director to question the lack of any legal deterrent. The director argued that a clear legal framework would protect the interests of producers, crew members, and the broader industry ecosystem.
Industry analysts note that while contractual penalties exist, they are often settled out of court and rarely serve as a strong enough deterrent. The director’s proposal, if taken up by lawmakers, could mark a significant shift in how film contracts are enforced in Bollywood.
The call for legislation has sparked debate among film bodies, with some expressing concern over creative freedom, while others welcome stronger safeguards against last‑minute exits that jeopardise multi‑crore productions.
He specifically referenced the case of veteran actor Akshaye Khanna, who withdrew from the Drishyam 3 cast at a late stage, prompting the director to question the lack of any legal deterrent. The director argued that a clear legal framework would protect the interests of producers, crew members, and the broader industry ecosystem.
Industry analysts note that while contractual penalties exist, they are often settled out of court and rarely serve as a strong enough deterrent. The director’s proposal, if taken up by lawmakers, could mark a significant shift in how film contracts are enforced in Bollywood.
The call for legislation has sparked debate among film bodies, with some expressing concern over creative freedom, while others welcome stronger safeguards against last‑minute exits that jeopardise multi‑crore productions.