Jaideep Ahlawat joins Drishyam 3 after Akshaye Khanna exits. Photos: X
Jaideep Ahlawat has reportedly joined the cast of Drishyam 3 following Akshaye Khanna’s departure. According to reports, “Jaideep will begin shooting for Drishyam 3 in January 2026.”
Reports say Akshaye Khanna has reportedly decided to step away from Ajay Devgn’s upcoming thriller Drishyam 3, citing disagreements over compensation and creative vision. The development comes even as the franchise prepares to enter what is expected to be its final chapter.
The report citing source said, “He has been roped in for a pivotal and extremely exciting role that will add a new twist to the story.”
The film will see Ajay Devgn reprise his iconic role as Vijay Salgaonkar, while Tabu returns as IG Meera Deshmukh. Drishyam 3 will once again be directed by Abhishek Pathak, who previously helmed Drishyam 2. The third instalment is expected to push the franchise towards its concluding arc.
Jaideep Ahlawat has steadily emerged as one of the most successful actors in the Hindi film industry today. His journey has been marked by years of struggle, gradually earning recognition through powerful performances and distinctive character choices.
Known for his ability to leave a strong impact regardless of screen time, Ahlawat has consistently won over audiences with his unconventional and layered portrayals.
One of Ahlawat’s most defining performances came with Amazon Prime Video’s Paatal Lok, where he played police officer Hathiram Chaudhary. The character, who risks his life to solve a high-stakes case, struck a chord with viewers.
In Three of Us, Ahlawat portrayed Pradeep Kamat, the childhood love of Shailja (played by Shefali Shah), a woman suffering from dementia who attempts to relive her past memories. The film was widely appreciated for its emotional depth.
In Jaane Jaan, released last year, Ahlawat played the role of a teacher who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case while trying to protect his love, Maya. The film also starred Kareena Kapoor Khan and Vijay Varma.\
Ahlawat’s first major recognition came with Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur, where he played Shahid. Despite limited screen time, his performance stood out in a film that also starred Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
In Raazi, Ahlawat portrayed Khalid Mir, an intelligence officer who trains Sehmat Khan (Alia Bhatt), an Indian spy assigned to marry a Pakistani military officer as part of her mission.
In Netflix’s Lust Stories, he played Sudhir, a conflicted man involved in an affair with his best friend’s wife, portrayed by Manisha Koirala. By this time, Ahlawat had become known for making a lasting impact even in brief roles.
Additional notable appearances include Raees (2017) and Bard of Blood (2019).
A report by Masala indicates that Jaideep Ahlawat’s earnings have surged significantly in recent years. He reportedly charged ₹20 crore for Paatal Lok Season 2, with his net worth estimated to have risen from ₹8 crore to nearly ₹28 crore.
The actor reportedly owns multiple properties and luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV valued at over ₹1.3 crore. He is married to classical dancer Jyoti Hooda.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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