Overview
- Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak says a legal notice was sent to Khanna for allegedly walking out despite a signed agreement and upfront payment, with no reply so far.
- Pathak recounts that Khanna texted his exit roughly a day before Dhurandhar’s release and about 12 days before the scheduled shoot, after costumes and look tests were paid for.
- Accounts differ on the trigger for the split, with reports of multiple fee renegotiations and a disputed request for a different hairstyle that the team said would hinder continuity.
- The role has been reassigned to Jaideep Ahlawat, with the makers stating production is proceeding toward the October 2, 2026 theatrical release.
- The dispute has widened to a reputational battle as an earlier interview by writer Manish Gupta criticizing Khanna resurfaced, while Arshad Warsi and fans offered public support for the actor.