In Bollywood, reputations often travel faster than facts and once a label sticks, it can follow an actor for years. Akshaye Khanna knows this reality well. Long before the recent discussion around his exit from Drishyam 3, he had already been branded by industry gossip as someone filmmakers should be wary of. One director who encountered these warnings early in his career was Priyadarshan who has now revisited that phase with honesty and hindsight.
When Priyadarshan was preparing his film Doli Saja Ke Rakhna in the late 1990s, many around him advised against casting Akshaye Khanna. The common perception was that the actor was moody and hard to manage on set. Despite these warnings, Priyadarshan chose to trust his own judgment and gave Akshaye the role. What followed, according to the filmmaker, completely changed his understanding of the actor.
Instead of the difficult personality he had been warned about, Priyadarshan found Akshaye Khanna to be focused, disciplined and remarkably professional. He recalled how the actor treated his work with seriousness, arriving on time even for early morning calls and remaining committed throughout the shoot. Over time, Priyadarshan developed a deep respect for Akshaye, describing him as someone who stayed unaffected by criticism and external opinions, preferring to let his work speak for itself.
Their bond did not end with one project. Priyadarshan and Akshaye Khanna went on to collaborate on multiple films over the years, including popular titles like Hulchul, Hungama, and Aakrosh. Across six films together, the director says their professional relationship remained smooth, without any major conflicts. For him, these repeated collaborations only reinforced the idea that reserved nature of Akshaye was often mistaken for arrogance or difficulty.
These comments have resurfaced at a time when Akshaye Khanna has been in the news due to his departure from Drishyam 3. The film’s producer Kumar Mangat Pathak had earlier stated that the actor left the project just days before filming was scheduled to begin, raising questions about his commitment. Director Abhishek Pathak later clarified that the situation stemmed from creative differences rather than unprofessional behaviour. He explained that the disagreement revolved around the character’s look and continuity, as the story continues directly from the previous film, making certain visual changes impractical. Despite discussions to resolve the issue, both sides eventually decided to part ways.
While that chapter remains debated, Akshaye Khanna’s recent work has drawn strong praise. His portrayal of gangster Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar has been widely appreciated by audiences and critics alike, standing out even among a strong ensemble cast. Once again, his performances are quietly challenging the narratives built around him.
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