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 is currently riding high on the success of his spy actioner Dhurandhar, has joined the sets of the film, marking his official Telugu debut.Mahakali stars Bhoomi Shetty in the lead role as Maha and is positioned as a key installment in the Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). Last September, filmmaker Prashanth Varma had unveiled Akshaye’s first-look poster from the film, revealing him as Shukracharya, a pivotal character in the mythological narrative.

Drishyam 3 Faces Turmoil as Producer Alleges Akshaye Khanna Disappeared Without Closure

Director’s post confirms Akshaye’s presence on set

The latest update came through director Puja Kolluru, who recently shared a year-end post on Instagram featuring a selfie with Akshaye Khanna from the film’s sets.

The post effectively confirmed that filming is underway with the actor on board.Touted as Tollywood’s first female superhero film, Mahakali is being positioned as a large-scale, genre-defining project and is scheduled for an early 2026 theatrical release.

Drishyam 3 exit sparks industry debate

While Akshaye’s professional slate continues to expand, his sudden exit from Drishyam 3 has sparked intense debate within the industry. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak of Panorama Studios publicly accused the actor of walking out just days before the film was set to go on floors.

Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Pathak alleged that Akshaye’s recent success had impacted his conduct. “Success has gone to Akshaye Khanna’s head,” he said, adding that a legal notice was sent to the actor following his exit.Pathak went on to make strong remarks about Akshaye’s career trajectory, claiming that Section 375 and Drishyam 2 played a crucial role in reviving his standing in the industry. He also described the actor’s energy on set as “toxic” and questioned his ability to carry a solo film commercially.

‘Dhurandhar is a team effort,’ say makers

Pathak further downplayed Akshaye’s individual contribution to Dhurandhar, stating that the film’s success was largely driven by its leading star Ranveer Singh. Drawing comparisons, he pointed out that the Drishyam franchise is fronted by Ajay Devgn, while Chhaava and Dhurandhar also revolve around bigger marquee names.“If Akshaye does a solo film, it won’t even collect Rs 50 crore in India,” Pathak claimed, adding that the actor should test his perceived superstardom independently.