Producer and Director Allege Unprofessional Conduct by Actor Akshaye Khanna
A new controversy is shaking the Bollywood film industry. It involves serious allegations of unprofessional behavior against actor Akshaye Khanna. The claims come from filmmaker Manish Gupta and producer Kumar Mangat Pathak. They describe broken contracts, financial demands, and attempts to control productions. This situation offers a rare public look at the power struggles and conflicts that can happen behind the scenes in major film projects.
The Allegations from the “Section 375” Set
Writer-director Manish Gupta has shared a detailed account of his experience with Akshaye Khanna. This happened during the making of the 2019 courtroom drama “Section 375.” Gupta states that Khanna signed a contract in 2017 to star in the film for a fee of 2 crore rupees. The actor reportedly took an advance of 21 lakh rupees. However, Gupta alleges that Khanna then suddenly gave away his committed shooting dates to another film, “The Accidental Prime Minister.” This left Gupta and his crew waiting idle for six months.
The problems did not end there. Manish Gupta claims that when Akshaye Khanna returned, he demanded a new fee. The actor allegedly asked for 3.25 crore rupees instead of the originally contracted 2 crores. Gupta calls this a clear breach of contract. He further accuses Khanna of wanting to take full creative control of the film. Gupta says he resisted these demands, which led to a major conflict.
A Director Removed and a Legal Battle
According to Manish Gupta, the conflict escalated. He says Akshaye Khanna then pressured the film’s producer, Kumar Mangat Pathak, to remove Gupta as the director. Gupta alleges that Pathak complied. He says the producer made him a “scapegoat,” removed him from the director’s chair, and even seized his script and pre-production materials. The film “Section 375” was ultimately completed and released with Ajay Bahl credited as director.
Gupta did not take this lightly. He states that he sent legal notices and his lawyers were preparing a case in the Bombay High Court against both Khanna and Pathak. He says producer Kumar Mangat Pathak chose to settle the matter out of court. Gupta notes the irony that Pathak is now taking legal action against Akshaye Khanna for similar reasons on another project.
Broader Industry Pattern Emerges
This is not an isolated complaint. Just days before Gupta’s revelations, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak himself spoke about a bad experience with Akshaye Khanna. Pathak stated that Khanna’s behavior led to him being replaced by actor Jaideep Ahlawat in the upcoming blockbuster “Drishyam 3.” Pathak strongly suggested that while Khanna is a talented actor, working with him became professionally untenable.
These back-to-back accounts from two different industry professionals paint a concerning picture. They suggest a pattern of difficult professional engagements. For investors and observers of the film business, such conflicts carry real financial risk. Delays, reshoots, and last-minute casting changes can significantly impact a film’s budget and release schedule, affecting its potential profitability.
The Impact on Reputation and Business
Manish Gupta is careful to separate Akshaye Khanna’s acting skill from his professional ethics. He acknowledges Khanna is a “brilliant actor.” However, Gupta stresses he is pointing out a “lack of ethics.” He also notes that “Section 375” was a key comeback film for Khanna after a long period away from the spotlight. The public airing of these grievances highlights how personal conduct can directly influence business relationships and career opportunities in the high-stakes film industry.
For producers and studios, these allegations serve as a cautionary tale. They underscore the importance of clear contracts and the potential costs of on-set conflicts. As the industry becomes more corporatized and accountable to investors, managing talent relationships and mitigating such risks is becoming increasingly crucial. The fallout from these allegations may influence how future contracts are structured and how similar disputes are handled.
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