Just yesterday, the industry was shaken by the news of Akshaye Khanna’s abrupt exit from Drishyam 3 over a staggering ₹21 Crore fee demand (and a bizarre debate over a wig!). Fans were heartbroken at the thought of losing the electrifying chemistry between Vijay Salgaonkar and IG Tarun Ahlawat.
But hold your tears, because the makers seem to have found a replacement that is not just a "backup plan"—it might just be an upgrade.
Enter: The 'Paatal Lok' Heavyweight
According to the hottest whispers in B-Town, the producers of Drishyam 3 are in advanced talks with none other than Jaideep Ahlawat to step into the shoes of the lead investigator.
Yes, you heard that right. The man who gave us the iconic Hathi Ram Chaudhary in Paatal Lok and is currently garnering rave reviews for his performance in Ikkis (which premiered just last night!) is the top choice to hunt down Ajay Devgn.
Why Jaideep vs. Ajay is a Masterstroke
Let’s be honest—replacing Akshaye Khanna is no easy feat. His quirky, menacing, genius portrayal was the soul of Drishyam 2. But if anyone can match Ajay Devgn’s intense "silence," it is Jaideep Ahlawat.
The Intensity Factor: Imagine a face-off where Ajay Devgn does his signature intense stare, and Jaideep Ahlawat simply raises an eyebrow. The screen might actually catch fire!
The Cop Persona: Jaideep has mastered the art of playing the intelligent, weary, yet sharp police officer. Seeing him as the high-ranking IG Tarun Ahlawat would bring a more grounded, intimidating energy to the franchise.
Fans Are Already Sold!
The news hasn't even been officially confirmed yet, but "Film Twitter" is already at work. Fan edits comparing Jaideep and Ajay are going viral, with users calling this potential casting a "Clash of the Acting Titans."
One viral tweet read: "If Akshaye was the mind, Jaideep is the muscle AND the mind. Vijay Salgaonkar better start digging deeper holes!"
The Verdict
While we will miss Akshaye Khanna’s eccentricity, the prospect of Jaideep Ahlawat joining the Drishyam universe has turned disappointment into hype.
What do you think? Can Jaideep fill Akshaye’s shoes, or is Vijay Salgaonkar’s secret safe without the OG IG?
