The trailer of Drishyam: The Conclusion dropped on September 9 in Goa, and with it came a wave of curiosity about the new face in the franchise. Jaideep Ahlawat, known for his powerful performance in Paatal Lok, has joined the cast as a police officer. But many fans have been asking the same question: Is he replacing Akshaye Khanna?
At the trailer launch event, Jaideep addressed these comparisons directly and made his stance very clear.
Jaideep Ahlawat Says His Character Is a Fresh Addition
During the media interaction in Goa, Jaideep was asked if he felt pressure stepping into a role previously associated with Akshaye Khanna. His answer was simple and honest.
“No, not at all. When I heard the story, it wasn’t framed as if I was stepping into Akshaye Sir’s shoes or anything like that.”
He explained that director Abhishek Pathak introduced him to a completely new character named SP Crime Branch Rajveer Singh Tomar. According to Jaideep, the script never presented his role as a continuation of what Khanna did in Drishyam 2.
“One character’s journey concludes and another is introduced.”
The actor added that his character has its own story, relationships, and motivations. He is not carrying the weight of any previous performance.
A Different Journey with New Relationships
Jaideep further explained that his role in Drishyam: The Conclusion is built on fresh dynamics. He will be forming new connections with other characters, including Meera Deshmukh played by Tabu and the Salgaonkar family.
“The journey is different, the introduction is new, and a new relationship is going to be created with Meera and the Salgaonkar family. So, it is going to be a very individualistic approach to this character.”
He also mentioned that he never felt any pressure about comparisons because the character was written with its own arc. For him, the focus was always on understanding the man behind the uniform rather than filling someone else’s shoes.
Why Akshaye Khanna Left Drishyam 3
For those unaware, Akshaye Khanna played IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2. He was initially attached to the third film but exited shortly before filming began.
Reports suggest that Khanna’s departure happened due to disagreements over his remuneration and his look for the role. He reportedly asked for Rs 21 crore after the success of Dhurandhar and Chhaava. There were also differences about him wearing a wig for the character.
Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak of Panorama Studios later clarified that Khanna actually left the project a day before the release of Dhurandhar, not after its success. He also mentioned that Khanna’s fee was renegotiated three times before he stopped responding to calls.
Director Had Already Clarified the Casting
This is not the first time the makers have addressed the replacement rumors. Earlier, director Abhishek Pathak had clearly stated that Jaideep is not replacing Akshaye.
“Jaideep is not replacing Akshaye, instead a new character is being written for him.”
Jaideep echoed this sentiment, saying that when Abhishek narrated the script, there wasn’t even a hint that his character existed because of someone else.
Drishyam: The Conclusion – What to Expect
The trailer of Drishyam: The Conclusion picks up after the events of the second film. Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar, who once again finds himself protecting his family from a determined police officer.
This time, Jaideep’s character Rajveer Singh Tomar takes charge of the case and is set to give Vijay a tough fight. The film also stars Tabu, Shriya Saran, Prakash Raj, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta, and Mrunal Jadhav.
The movie is the third and final part of the Hindi Drishyam franchise. It is scheduled to release in cinemas on October 2, 2026 in India. For global audiences, the film will have a worldwide theatrical release around the same date, with showtimes varying by region.
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Jaideep’s Approach to the Role
Jaideep also shared how director Abhishek Pathak helped him understand the character better. Pathak worked extensively on building Tomar’s arc – from his hairstyle and costume to his sunglasses.
“When Abhishek narrated the script to me, I didn’t feel that this character was there because of any other character. It will take a bit of time to understand who Tomar is but they have done a thorough job with the character.”
The actor also recalled his long association with Ajay Devgn, saying his first film Aakrosh starred Devgn and was produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak.
Tabu, who has been part of the Drishyam franchise from the start, also praised Jaideep. She said she called him after watching Paatal Lok during the pandemic and found him brilliant.
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