Akshaye Khanna, coming off the strong box-office run of Dhurandhar, has begun shooting for his Telugu debut, Mahakali, a new addition to the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). The update surfaced after director Puja Kolluru shared behind-the-scenes moments from the sets, signalling Khanna’s next cross-industry move at a time when he is also being discussed for his reported exit from Drishyam 3.
The Shoot Breakdown: Set Updates and PVCU Scale
Kolluru posted candid selfies and photos from the shoot, marking the start of the film’s production leg with Khanna on board. Mahakali stars Bhoomi Shetty as Maha, positioned as a mythological superhero character within the PVCU—an expanding slate that gained momentum after HanuMan.
Khanna’s casting has drawn particular attention because of the role: he is set to play Asuraguru Shukracharya, and his first-look poster—released earlier—introduced the character with a striking transformation that quickly travelled across fan pages and film circles.
Why This Debut Matters
Known for selective choices and high-impact performances, Khanna’s Telugu entry is less a detour and more a strategic expansion—especially as pan-India storytelling pushes actors across languages and cinematic universes. With Mahakali, he steps into a genre space built on scale, mythology, and franchise continuity—very different from the grounded drama territory he often commands in Hindi cinema.
Drishyam 3 Shadow: What Reports Say vs What Makers Claim
The timing of Mahakali’s set updates coincides with continued chatter around Khanna’s reported departure from Drishyam 3. Some reports have claimed the split involved remuneration demands and look-related disagreements. However, the film’s makers have publicly framed the development as stemming from creative differences, pushing back on some of the circulating narratives.
Meanwhile, reports also indicate that actor Jaideep Ahlawat has joined Drishyam 3 in a separate capacity, with the director stating he is not being positioned as a “replacement” but as a new character addition to the franchise’s next chapter. The film is currently slated for an October 2, 2026, release.
Production and Release Buzz
Mahakali is directed by Puja Kolluru, with Prasanth Varma attached as creator under the PVCU banner. While the film is expected as part of the universe’s 2026 pipeline, an official release date is yet to be locked publicly.
The Takeaway
With Mahakali, Akshaye Khanna is entering a new commercial arena—one driven by mythology, franchise logic and pan-India scale—while the Drishyam 3 conversation continues in parallel. For now, the clearest signal is on set: the actor has started this next chapter, and the industry is watching how his Telugu debut reshapes his 2026 slate.
-By Manoj H