Director Abhishek Pathak has clarified that Jaideep Ahlawat is not replacing Akshaye Khanna in Drishyam 3 but will play a new character. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak had previously stated Ahlawat would step in after Khanna's exit, calling him a better actor and person. Reports suggest Khanna exited due to disagreements over wearing a wig for his role, a point he reportedly insisted on despite director's concerns about continuity.