Prakash Raj has officially joined the cast of Drishyam 3, adding fresh excitement to the popular Hindi thriller franchise.

The actor clarified that he is not stepping in for anyone, following Akshaye Khanna’s exit from the project.

Actor Prakash Raj, known for his memorable negative roles in Bollywood, has started shooting for Drishyam 3.

He took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his involvement, writing:

"Started shooting for this engaging franchise #Drishyam3 in Hindi. With a wonderful team and a scintillating role to play. I'm sure you will love it. (and yes, I’m not replacing anyone…)."

The 60-year-old actor’s confirmation came amid speculation about his rumored departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit, which he also denied.

Akshaye Khanna’s exit from project

Before Prakash Raj joined, the makers faced uncertainty after Akshaye Khanna left the film following the success of Dhurandhar on December 5, 2025.

Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak revealed that Khanna’s departure was linked to unmet demands over continuity issues, particularly regarding wearing a wig. Despite multiple negotiations and agreements on fees, Khanna ultimately stepped away from the project.

"We had signed an agreement with Akshaye Khanna. His fees were locked after several renegotiations. He insisted on wearing a wig, but Abhishek Pathak explained how it would affect continuity. He initially agreed, but later people around him suggested he would look better with it, and he raised the demand again," Pathak told Bollywood Hungama.

Legacy of Drishyam

The Drishyam franchise began in 2013 as a Malayalam crime thriller starring Mohanlal.

Its Hindi remake became a major box-office success, cementing the series as one of Bollywood’s most reliable suspense thrillers.

With Drishyam 3, audiences are eager to see how the story unfolds, now featuring Prakash Raj in a key role.