After making headlines for his controversial exit from Drishyam 3, Akshaye Khanna has now shifted focus to his upcoming mythological epic Mahakali. The actor, who’s presently driving excessive on the success of his spy actioner Dhurandhar, has joined the units of the movie, marking his official Telugu debut.Mahakali stars Bhoomi Shetty within the lead function as Maha and is positioned as a key installment within the Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). Final September, filmmaker Prashanth Varma had unveiled Akshaye’s first-look poster from the movie, revealing him as Shukracharya, a pivotal character within the mythological narrative.
Director’s put up confirms Akshaye’s presence on set
The most recent replace got here by director Puja Kolluru, who not too long ago shared a year-end put up on Instagram that includes a selfie with Akshaye Khanna from the movie’s units. The put up successfully confirmed that filming is underway with the actor on board.Touted as Tollywood’s first feminine superhero movie, Mahakali is being positioned as a large-scale, genre-defining undertaking and is scheduled for an early 2026 theatrical launch.
Drishyam 3 exit sparks trade debate
Whereas Akshaye’s skilled slate continues to increase, his sudden exit from Drishyam 3 has sparked intense debate inside the trade. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak of Panorama Studios publicly accused the actor of strolling out simply days earlier than the movie was set to go on flooring.Chatting with Bollywood Hungama, Pathak alleged that Akshaye’s latest success had impacted his conduct. “Success has gone to Akshaye Khanna’s head,” he mentioned, including {that a} authorized discover was despatched to the actor following his exit.Pathak went on to make sturdy remarks about Akshaye’s profession trajectory, claiming that Part 375 and Drishyam 2 performed a vital function in reviving his standing within the trade. He additionally described the actor’s power on set as “poisonous” and questioned his skill to hold a solo movie commercially.
‘Dhurandhar is a group effort,’ say makers
Pathak additional downplayed Akshaye’s particular person contribution to Dhurandhar, stating that the movie’s success was largely pushed by its main star Ranveer Singh. Drawing comparisons, he identified that the Drishyam franchise is fronted by Ajay Devgn, whereas Chhaava and Dhurandhar additionally revolve round greater marquee names.“If Akshaye does a solo movie, it received’t even accumulate Rs 50 crore in India,” Pathak claimed, including that the actor ought to take a look at his perceived superstardom independently.
Abhishek Pathak breaks silence on artistic variations
Following these statements, Drishyam 3 director Abhishek Pathak additionally addressed Akshaye Khanna’s exit in an interplay with ETimes. Clarifying hypothesis round recasting, he confirmed that Jaideep Ahlawat is just not changing Akshaye however will as an alternative play a newly written character.“He left the choice fully to me,” Abhishek mentioned, referring to Ajay Devgn’s response to Akshaye’s departure.Pathak revealed that the contract was signed in November and accused the actor of exiting simply 5 days earlier than the shoot, regardless of the look being locked, costumes underway and narration accomplished.
Wig controversy and continuity considerations
One of many main factors of competition, based on Abhishek Pathak, was Akshaye’s request to put on a wig in Drishyam 3. The director defined that the movie continues immediately from Drishyam 2, the place the actor sported a bald look.“You possibly can’t have him bald within the afternoon courtroom scene and all of the sudden present up with hair within the night,” Pathak mentioned, including that the problem resurfaced regardless of earlier discussions.
Charges renegotiated however points persevered
Addressing rumours of a Rs 21 crore payment demand, Pathak declined to disclose the precise quantity however admitted that Akshaye’s remuneration was renegotiated. “The commercials had been revisited, we labored it out, and the contract was signed. After that, all this drama began,” he mentioned.Pathak additionally famous that Akshaye exited the undertaking a day earlier than Dhurandhar’s launch, sustaining that the choice was not pushed by cash.
‘He’s being informed he’ll develop into a famous person’
In a candid comment, Abhishek Pathak prompt that exterior influences might have performed a task within the actor’s decision-making. “Individuals round him are telling him that he’ll develop into a famous person and that he ought to do one thing all about him,” he mentioned, including pointedly, “Attempt doing a solo movie now.”Calling Dhurandhar’s success a collective achievement, Pathak concluded, “It’s not about one individual.”Because the controversy continues to unfold, Akshaye Khanna seems decided to maneuver forward, with Mahakali set to introduce him to a brand new trade and viewers.