Akshay Kumar replies 'mujhey nikal diya tha' to why he was not part of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and 3

Akshay Kumar’s fans were quite upset at the idea of Kartik Aaryan replacing him in the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise. After featuring in Priyadarshan’s 2017 movie, the actor ditched reprising his role in Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiya 3. The real reason behind his exit had remained a mystery until the actor himself made a revelation that he was removed from the movie. 

In a recent interview, Akshay responded to a fan who expressed his disappointment with his absence in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and 3. The fan shared that he didn't watch those as Akshay was missing from the films. In reaction, Kumar jokingly said, “Beta, mujhey nikaal diya tha. (I was removed) That's it,” he said during an interview with Pinkvilla. 

While Akshay’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa was a psychological horror-drama, Kartik’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and 3 were solely horror comedies with plots revolving around cursed ghosts. Both the films raked in huge box office numbers and emerged to be a hit. 

Earlier, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and 3 director Anees Bazmee had shared his thoughts on Akshay's absence from the sequel. "Akshay is too big for these small things. Akshay Kumar cannot be replaced, and he knows that he is not replaced in this film. Akshay has a great body of work over 25 years. Akshay is doing comedy, he is dancing, he is doing action, he is doing everything, he is getting offered the kind of films he wants. So, it is a very small thing for him to do or not do Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2,” he had said to a news portal, without divulging much details on his exit. 

On the other hand, Kartik expressed admiration for Akshay and humbly downplayed comparisons between them, stating it feels strange to be likened to someone he's idolized since childhood.

Meanwhile, Akshay was last seen in Singham Again alongside Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Arjun Kapoor among others. He is geared up for the release of Sky Force, which is set to arrive in the theatres on January 24, 2025.