Akshaye Khanna has emerged as one of Bollywood’s breakout forces of 2025, stealing the spotlight in Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar with his chilling portrayal of Pakistani crime lord Rehman Dakait. Released on December 5, the film has grossed over ₹150 crore in its opening week, but it’s Khanna’s quiet terror—built on piercing glances and coiled stillness—that has critics and fans raving.
“Akshaye communicates volumes with silence,” director Dhar told Variety, praising his co-star’s ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with lead star Ranveer Singh. Now, riding this wave, Khanna steps into the mythological realm with Prasanth Varma’s Mahakali, a pan-India epic that promises to showcase his transformative range on an even grander canvas.
Dhurandhar’s Shadow: A Villain That Lingers
In Dhurandhar, Khanna’s Dakait is a calculating antagonist whose calm demeanour masks ruthless ambition, loosely drawing from real-life figures like gangster Rehman Dakait. The role, part of a two-film saga (with Part 2 slated for March 2026), has already been hailed as one of Khanna’s finest, earning him comparisons to Irrfan Khan’s brand of quiet intensity.
“After years of eclectic choices, Dhurandhar reminded everyone why Akshaye is a chameleon,” noted trade analyst Ramesh Bala. His performance, blending vulnerability with venom, has sparked awards buzz and flooded social media with “Akshaye for Best Actor” memes and edits.
Yet Khanna’s next move isn’t another suited-up spy villain — it’s a dive into the divine and the dangerous.
Mahakali’s Mythic Call: Asuraguru Shukracharya Awaits
Hot on Dhurandhar’s heels, Khanna transforms into Asuraguru Shukracharya, the formidable demon guru, in Mahakali. Directed by Puja Kolluru and produced by RKD Studios, the film is the next chapter in Prasanth Varma’s Cinematic Universe (PVCU) following Hanu-Man (2024).
Unveiled on September 30, 2025, Khanna’s first-look poster shows him in regal asura attire, exuding an eerie mix of ancient wisdom and wrath — a far cry from Dakait’s modern underworld menace. “Shukracharya is eternal, wise and terrifying; Akshaye brings that duality perfectly,” Varma shared on X, where the image racked up over 2 million likes.
As the preceptor of the asuras, Khanna’s Shukracharya is set to clash with divine forces in a tale of cosmic rebellion, blending large-scale VFX spectacle with the emotional gravitas that has become Varma’s signature.
Khanna’s Evolution: From Grounded Grit to Godly Grandeur
Khanna’s shift from Dhurandhar’s gritty gangster to Mahakali’s mythic mentor underlines a career phase defined by risk and reinvention. Post-Chhaava (2025), where he played Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, this role marks his Telugu debut and formal entry into the PVCU.
“Akshaye’s stillness in Dhurandhar translates beautifully to Shukracharya’s commanding presence — it’s a natural progression,” Kolluru told NDTV.
Shooting wrapped in November 2025, with a 2026 release eyed. Mahakali boasts a stellar ensemble, including Pooja Hegde and Rana Daggubati, with Devi Sri Prasad’s score expected to amplify the epic scale. Fans are already speculating that Khanna’s Shukracharya could become a recurring lynchpin in future PVCU crossovers, potentially intersecting with Hanu-Man 2 and beyond.
A Dark Divine Leap
Akshaye Khanna’s Mahakali step isn’t a simple shift — it’s an ascension. From Dhurandhar’s shadows to Shukracharya’s storm, his trajectory raises a larger question: can an actor move from underworld dread to otherworldly divinity and still feel utterly convincing?
If early buzz is any indication, his mythic leap answers with a resounding yes, scripting a next chapter where a long-underestimated chameleon doesn’t just change colours — he commands the entire cosmic palette.
– By Manoj H