Started shooting for this engaging franchise #Drishyam3 in hindi. With a wonderful team and a scintillating role to play . Im sure you will love it . ❤️❤️❤️( and yes im not replacing anyone..) 😛😛😛

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) February 10, 2026

Akshaye Khanna’s exit from Drishyam 3

Prakash Raj’s entry into Drishyam 3 comes some time after Akshaye Khanna exited the project. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak said in an interview that Akshaye stepped away from the film just a day before the release of Dhurandhar on December 5, 2025.

During an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Pathak said, “We had signed an agreement with Akshaye Khanna. His fees were locked after several renegotiations. He insisted that he would like to wear a wig. But (director) Abhishek Pathak convinced him that it wouldn’t be practical, as it would result in continuity issues since Drishyam 3 is a sequel. He understood his point and agreed to let go of that demand. However, the chamchas around him advised him that he would look smarter if he donned a wig. So, he again requested the same. Abhishek relented and was even ready to discuss this point with him. But then, he informed us that he doesn’t want to be a part of the film at all.”

Drishyam 3 will be helmed by Abhishek Pathak, who made his directorial debut with Drishyam 2. The movie, also starring Shriya Saran and Tabu, will release on October 2, 2026.

ALSO READ | Sanjay Dutt abused; Kader Khan nearly drowned after argument; Salman Khan was scared: Inside Govinda’s chaotic buddy comedies

As soon as the film’s trailer was unveiled, edited clips of Sanjay and Salman’s appearances surfaced on social media. Several fans flooded the comments section, expressing their excitement to see Salman and Sanjay share the screen space after over 25 years. The duo was a popular on-screen pair, featuring together in films like Saajan, Dus and Chal Mere Bhai.

When videos featuring Salman and Sanjay emerged on Reddit and X, a fan wrote in the comments, “I miss their (Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt’s) pairing.” Another person wrote, “Salman and Sanjay slayed.” “Bhai’s dialogue delivery in one scene is better than the whole Sikandar movie,” a third comment read. “Here only for Salman Khan, eagerly waiting to watch him in a big screen,” a fan expressed. Earlier, during the promotions of his film Sikandar, Salman had confirmed that he would be collaborating with Sanjay in an upcoming action movie.

7 Dogs stars Egyptian actors Karim Abdel-Aziz and Ahmed Ezz, and is based on the fight against a life-threatening new drug flooding the Middle East. The story has been written by Turki Al-Sheikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. The film is set to hit the theatres later this year.

When asked if he regrets saying no to the deal, Goenka admitted, “I am disappointed that I didn’t get the Dharma deal. Sometimes it is also a lesson in how much to delegate and at what time to delegate. Too much delegation doesn’t necessarily work. This is one example.”

What is a drag-along and tag-along clause?

In mergers and acquisitions, drag-along rights allow majority shareholders to force minority shareholders to sell their stake if the majority agrees to a sale. Tag-along rights, on the other hand, protect minority shareholders by allowing them to join (or “tag along”) if the majority sells its stake, ensuring they get the same price and terms.

Goenka on films, content and IP

When asked if Goenka is still interested in movie production and distribution, Goenka made it clear that RPSG has already produced 26 movies under Yoodlee Films.

“It is a business that has not done as well in the last couple of years as it has in the past, but I do believe content and IP are two very important businesses. If you have content and if you own IP to that content, there will be more avenues for monetisation as technology progresses,” he said.

ALSO READ: Govinda thanks newcomer Komal for staying quiet after wife Sunita Ahuja alleged affair between them: ‘I’m saved because of her’

Karan Johar on selling Dharma Productions stake to Adar Poonawalla

Johar has previously spoken at length about why he eventually sold a stake in Dharma to Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India.

On Raj Shamani’s podcast last year, Johar said, “In 2023, we realised we need to leverage and grow. In our business to grow organically would have taken me another 5-7 years. I needed the fund to grow and today, I am happy with my partnership with Adar. He is an amazing human being and his instincts are very strong.”

In another interview with Komal Nahta, Johar revealed that funding constraints had stalled several ambitions. “I had many dreams that weren’t able to get fulfilled because there was a funding issue. I was very clear that I am okay to sell 50% of my company or to sell equity, only because I want to expand. I want to leave many legacies behind, within the company. Me and Apoorva, who work like brothers, had decided that we would do this but we needed the right partner. It so happened eventually that Adar and his wife Natasha have been my close friends, very dear to me. He picked up the phone one day and said that I am interested, but I told him that this is not your business. He said he also wanted to expand.”

Johar added that his longtime collaborator Apoorva Mehta played a key role in closing the deal, assuring him that Poonawalla would not interfere creatively.

“we haven’t lost any creative control. There are cheques and balances because when there’s a partner, you become more accountable. We got an investment for expansion, I was able to immediately open a distribution arm and talks are going on to do something big with the music arm. Adar is somebody we turn to, when we want to do bigger deals. Apoorva and I lean on him for advice,” he added.

The deal

In 2024, Karan Johar signed a Rs 1,000 crore deal to sell 50% stake of Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla through Serene Productions. The remaining 50% continues to be held by Johar, with Apoorva Mehta serving as CEO.

ALSO READ: Ranveer Singh calls Excel unprofessional, says they tried to replace him with Hrithik Roshan in Don 3 amid Farhan Akhtar’s Rs 40 cr demand: report

Talking about his responsibility as a father and as an artiste, Nick Jonas said, “Meeting a prickly thing with empathy and softness has been the most fascinating part of being a parent. I am writing about things now that I want to explain to her. She’s going to be listening, and I can’t unthink that. She loves our song ‘Love Me to Heaven,’ and we always play it during the beginning of the set. There are these great videos of her at side-stage with Priyanka holding her dress, because she just wants to run up and join us.”

Nick was then asked about his experience with Indian culture, especially since tying the knot with Priyanka in 2018. He shared that he always wanted a big family and that he was glad that Priyanka shared that same belief. Recalling his first trip to India, Nick said, “It was magic when I went to India for the first time, and I got to spend time with her friends and family and experience the culture in a more meaningful way. Some of my favourite traditions and holidays are now Indian traditions and holidays. Some of my favourite memories in life are either based in India or India adjacent.”

ALSO READ: SS Rajamouli was doubtful if Priyanka Chopra can do an Indian film after eight years

He continued to shower praises on Indian culture and revealed that Malti is being raised with Hindu values, as the religion has transformed his spirituality as well. He said, “It’s been pretty incredible. I have learnt a lot about Hinduism, which is amazing. It’s profound and beautiful, and the practice of karma and doing unto others as you would like to have done with you… And good things coming back to you is beautiful. We are raising our daughter to have real Hindu values and understanding of that. My faith has evolved and changed, and it is very strong and an important part of who I am.”

Interestingly, Nick Jonas’ father was an ordained minister at an Assemblies of God church. Nick has often talked about his father preaching with him and his brothers sitting in the front row of the church.