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As Drishyam 3 producer calls Akshaye Khanna ‘toxic’ and ‘unprofessional’, Arshad Warsi lauds Dhurandhar actor: ‘He lives his life on his terms’

Arshad Warsi has remarked that Akshaye Khanna, who recently courted controversy for exiting Drishyam 3 just days before the shoot, is someone who does not concern himself with others’ opinions.

3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Dec 28, 2025 09:49 AM IST

Arshad Warsi talks about his Hulchul co-star Akshaye Khanna. (Photos: Jio Studios, Arshad Warsi/ Instagram)

Actor Akshaye Khanna has been garnering widesperead praise for his performance in Aditya Dhar’s spy actioner Dhurandhar. In fact, several viewers have remarked that his portrayal at times even overshadows that of the film’s lead, played by Ranveer Singh. Most recently, actor Arshad Warsi also spoke about Akshaye’s compelling performance in the film.

Arshad and Akshaye have worked together in two films, Hulchul (2004) and Short Kut (2009). During a conversation with Lallantop, Arshad shared his thoughts about Akshaye and said, “Akshaye is a very serious guy. He has been a brilliant actor since before; there was no doubt about that, but he likes to stay in his own world. He doesn’t care about anybody. He lives his life on his terms and doesn’t get bothered by who thinks what about him. He has no PR or anybody right from day one, and he has been like this all his life.”

Also Read: Akshaye Khanna was told he’s ‘not successful’, he smiled and responded: ‘Everyone is ahead, I am the last one in the race’

2025 has been a great year for both Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi. While Akshaye is being praised for his performance in Dhurandhar, Arshad was lauded for his turn as Gafoor in The Ba***ds of Bollywood earlier this year. On Saturday, Akshaye made headlines after he made an exit from Drishyam 3. The film’s producer, Kumar Mangat Pathak, has also sent him a legal notice for the same. Pathak told Bollywood Hungama, “I have suffered losses because of his behaviour. I am going to take legal action. I have already sent him a legal notice; he’s yet to reply to it. Fame has gone to his head.”

Also Read | Drishyam 3 producer calls Akshaye Khanna ‘toxic, unprofessional’, says Dhurandhar success has ‘gone to his head’: ‘His solo film won’t make Rs 50 cr’

The producer also called Akshaye ‘toxic’ and ‘unprofessional’ from the time they worked on Article 375. He said, “There was a time when Akshaye was nothing. That’s when I made Section 375 (2019) with him. Even then, so many people told us not to work with him because of his unprofessional behaviour. His energy on set is absolutely toxic. Section 375 got him recognition. Later, I signed him in Drishyam 2 (2022). He has got all the big offers only after Drishyam 2. Uske pehle woh 3-4 saal tak ghar pe baitha hua tha (He was sitting at home for 3-4 years before that).”

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