Jaideep Ahlawat clarifies his Drishyam 3 role is original, not Akshaye Khanna’s replacement

Jaideep Ahlawat addressed recent speculation about his involvement in the third instalment of the Drishyam franchise, stating that the part he will play is a completely new character. He made the comments during a media interaction, emphasizing that he is not a substitute for actor Akshaye Khanna, whose name had been linked to the project.

The Drishyam series, starring Ajay Devgn, has become a major commercial success since its debut in 2015, prompting producers to explore a sequel with a fresh storyline. Early reports suggested that Akshaye Khanna might join the cast, but the production house has not confirmed any such casting.

Ahlawat, known for his roles in films such as "The White Tiger" and the web series "Paatal Lok," expressed enthusiasm about contributing to a new narrative within the popular franchise. He added that the script offers a distinct arc for his character, separate from any previous cast members.

The clarification comes as fans await official announcements regarding the film’s full cast and release schedule. The makers have indicated that Drishyam 3 is in the pre‑production phase, with shooting slated to begin later this year.