‘Very common habit’: Section 375 maker claims Akshaye Khanna wanted full control of his film | EXCLUSIVE
Fresh controversy has surrounded Akshaye Khanna after the maker of Section 375 claimed the actor wanted full control of the film. Calling it a "very common habit", the filmmaker revisited allegations of creative interference and professional fallout. Read on for full details.
Mumbai: Actor Akshaye Khanna has remained in the spotlight following strong praise for his performance in Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar. However, the conversation around the actor has now taken a controversial turn after fresh details emerged about his exit from Drishyam 3, starring Ajay Devgn.
While initial reports suggested that the actor had stepped away due to creative differences, claims soon surfaced that the decision was linked to his demand to wear a wig for the role, a request that was reportedly declined by the production. Amid this chatter, filmmaker Manish Gupta has revisited his own troubled experience of working with Akshaye on the 2019 courtroom drama Section 375.
How much was paid to Akshaye Khanna for Section 375?
In a recent interview with TV9 English, Manish detailed the financial and professional disagreements that marked their collaboration. Speaking about Akshaye’s remuneration, he said, "Akshaye had signed a contract for Section 375 with me as both Director and Writer and Kumar Mangat as producer, his fee was Rs 2 crore, and he took an advance of Rs 21 Lakhs. He committed his shooting dates to me. But, suddenly, since he was offered another movie, The Accidental Prime Minister, he gave away my dates to that other movie, leaving my crew waiting idle for six months!”
He further claimed that once filming on The Accidental Prime Minister was completed, the actor returned with a revised demand. "Then, after finishing that movie, he came back and breached his contract by asking for Rs 3.25 crore instead!” Gupta added, noting that the request was refused. According to him, producer Kumar Mangat eventually agreed to the actor’s terms, while Manish’s directorial credit was removed, leaving him listed only as the writer.
Addressing why the issue has resurfaced now, Manish Gupta stated, "Of course, I protested very strongly at that time itself. I sent two legal notices to Kumar Mangat. And I had warned Akshaye that I would drag him to court.” He later revealed that an out-of-court settlement was reached, preventing the matter from escalating legally.
A very common habit of Akshaye?
Manish Gupta also alleged that creative control was at the heart of the fallout. "Because he wanted to fully control the film and wanted everything done his way,” he said, adding that his refusal to yield as a director allegedly led to his removal. Reflecting on Akshaye’s recent walkout from Drishyam 3, Gupta remarked, "That’s a very common habit of Akshaye’s, of dictating terms.”
Despite the criticism, Akshaye’s acting abilities were acknowledged. "Akshaye is no doubt a brilliant actor and immensely talented,” Manish said, while reiterating concerns about professionalism.