Jaideep Ahlawat breaks silence on replacing Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3
Jaideep Ahlawat has opened up about comparisons with Akshaye Khanna ahead of the release of Drishyam: The Conclusion, making it clear that he does not see his role as a replacement for the actor’s character in the franchise.
At the film’s trailer launch in Goa on September 9, Jaideep was asked whether he was stepping into Akshaye Khanna’s shoes. Addressing the comparison, he said, “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.”
The actor explained that what attracted him to the project was the opportunity to explore the person behind the police uniform. Director Abhishek Pathak’s narration introduced him to Rajveer Tomar as a character with his own backstory, relationships and motivations.
“One character’s journey concludes and another is introduced,” Jaideep said. He added that he did not feel the need to carry the weight of the previous character’s legacy, as Rajveer’s journey was “completely different”. His character also develops new relationships, including those with Meera and the families central to the story.
Jaideep credited Abhishek Pathak for presenting Rajveer Tomar as a fresh character rather than as an extension of Akshaye Khanna’s role. For him, the focus was on understanding Tomar’s individual journey and motivations.
The makers unveiled the trailer of Drishyam: The Conclusion on Thursday. The film takes the story forward from the events of Drishyam 2 while introducing a new mystery. This time, Jaideep’s Rajveer Tomar leads the investigation and remains determined to uncover the truth behind Vijay’s carefully constructed story.
Drishyam: The Conclusion marks the third and final chapter in the Hindi Drishyam franchise. The film features an ensemble cast including Tabu, Shriya Saran, Jaideep Ahlawat, Prakash Raj, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav. It is slated to hit theatres on October 2.The Gripping Trailer of Drishyam 3 Ft. Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Jaideep Ahlawat Is Out Now