Akshaye Khanna is preparing to enter a completely different cinematic world after winning widespread appreciation for his intense performance in Dhurandhar. The actor will next be seen as Shukracharya in Mahakali, an ambitious mythological project from filmmaker Prasanth Varma’s cinematic universe.
Akshaye Khanna has once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile performers. After creating a strong impact with his portrayal of Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar, the actor is now preparing for a dramatic transformation that takes him far away from the world of crime and contemporary action. His next major role will be that of Shukracharya, the powerful guru of the Asuras, in the upcoming film Mahakali.
The project is part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU) and marks Akshaye Khanna’s Telugu film debut. Directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru and conceptualised by filmmaker Prasanth Varma, Mahakali is expected to expand the mythology-driven world established by Varma with Hanu-Man. The film is headlined by Bhoomi Shetty and is being positioned as a major female-led superhero project within the universe.
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The announcement of Akshaye Khanna’s role has generated considerable interest because the actor will be seen in a strikingly different appearance. His first-look material as Shukracharya features a long silver beard, ascetic styling and an intense, mystical expression, presenting him in an avatar unlike the characters audiences have recently seen him play.
From Rehman Dakait to Shukracharya
Akshaye Khanna’s recent career trajectory has been particularly noteworthy. His performance as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar brought renewed attention to the actor, with audiences and critics appreciating his ability to create a menacing and layered screen presence.
The role was markedly different from many of the characters associated with Khanna earlier in his career. Rather than relying solely on conventional villainous mannerisms, the actor brought restraint, intensity and an unpredictable quality to the character.
That success has made his transformation into Shukracharya especially intriguing. Instead of continuing with another contemporary antagonist, Khanna has chosen a mythological character requiring an entirely different performance style.
The contrast between the two roles is substantial. Rehman Dakait belongs to a gritty, contemporary world, while Shukracharya comes from Indian mythology and is traditionally associated with knowledge, strategy, spiritual power and the Asura lineage. The move demonstrates the actor’s willingness to experiment with characters that demand substantial physical and tonal transformation.
Who Is Shukracharya?
In Hindu mythology, Shukracharya is widely known as the Guru of the Asuras. He is traditionally portrayed as a highly knowledgeable and powerful sage who possesses extraordinary wisdom and spiritual abilities.
Unlike a conventional villain, Shukracharya is a complex mythological figure. His association with the Asuras does not simply define him as an evil character. He is primarily recognised as their teacher, adviser and strategist. His intelligence and knowledge make him one of the important figures in several mythological narratives.
This complexity could give Akshaye Khanna significant scope as a performer. The character requires an ability to combine authority, intelligence, mystery and power rather than simply portraying a straightforward antagonist.
Reports have described Khanna’s character in Mahakali as an “eternal Asura guru”, suggesting that the film intends to present Shukracharya as an important force within its larger mythological narrative.
Akshaye Khanna’s Striking Transformation
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Mahakali has been Akshaye Khanna’s appearance.
The first-look material released in 2025 showed the actor in a dramatically transformed avatar. He appeared with a long silver beard, traditional ascetic styling and a topknot, while the intense expression and distinctive visual treatment gave the character a supernatural quality. The image resurfaced widely after the success of Dhurandhar, generating fresh discussion around the actor’s next role.
The transformation is significant because Khanna’s recent popularity has been driven partly by his ability to make characters memorable through controlled expressions and screen presence. Mahakali appears to take that quality into a much more fantastical setting.
Rather than depending only on dialogue or action, the visual design of Shukracharya is expected to establish his authority as soon as he appears on screen.
‘Mahakali’ Expands the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe
Mahakali is not being developed as an isolated mythological film. It forms part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, the interconnected cinematic world created by filmmaker Prasanth Varma.
The universe gained major attention with Hanu-Man, which combined Indian mythology, superhero storytelling and contemporary cinematic techniques. Mahakali represents another step in the filmmaker’s effort to build a larger universe inspired by Indian mythology.
The film is directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru, while Prasanth Varma is credited with conceptualising the project. Bhoomi Shetty plays the central role of Maha, with the film being described as introducing the first female superhero in the cinematic universe.
Akshaye Khanna’s presence adds another layer to the project. His role as Shukracharya could connect the mythological elements of the story with the broader supernatural and superhero framework of the PVCU.
A Major Telugu Debut for Akshaye Khanna
Another important aspect of Mahakali is that it marks Akshaye Khanna’s Telugu feature-film debut.
Although Khanna has spent decades working primarily in Hindi cinema, his recent popularity has expanded beyond the traditional Bollywood audience. His performance in Dhurandhar reportedly generated strong interest in southern markets as well, increasing expectations around his next project.
The decision to cast him in a prominent role also reflects the increasing movement of established Hindi actors into major South Indian productions. With Indian cinema becoming increasingly interconnected across languages and markets, actors are now frequently being introduced to audiences outside their traditional industries.
For Khanna, Mahakali offers an opportunity to establish himself in Telugu cinema without simply repeating the kind of role that brought him renewed attention in Dhurandhar.
Why ‘Mahakali’ Is Expected to Have a Hindi Release
The growing popularity of Akshaye Khanna following Dhurandhar has also influenced the film’s release strategy.
According to reports, Mahakali was initially planned primarily as a Telugu-language project. However, the actor’s increased popularity in the Hindi-speaking market has encouraged the makers to consider a Hindi release as well. Prasanth Varma has indicated that Khanna’s popularity is an important factor in the film’s broader positioning.
A Hindi release could significantly increase the film’s reach. It would allow audiences who may not regularly watch Telugu cinema to experience Khanna’s transformation into Shukracharya while also introducing the wider PVCU mythology to a larger national audience.
Akshaye Khanna Has Already Completed His Part
The project has also progressed considerably behind the scenes. In March 2026, reports confirmed that Akshaye Khanna had wrapped his portions for Mahakali. The update came around his birthday, when Prasanth Varma shared a behind-the-scenes image featuring the actor in his Shukracharya look.
The filmmaker also praised Khanna’s screen presence and expressed enthusiasm about showing audiences what they had created together.
The completion of Khanna’s shooting means that attention will now increasingly shift toward the film’s promotional campaign, visual material and eventual release plans.
First Glimpse of ‘Mahakali’ Builds Anticipation
The excitement around the film is expected to increase further with the makers preparing to unveil the first glimpse of Mahakali.
A recent report states that the first glimpse is scheduled to arrive on August 24, 2026. The timing is particularly significant because Khanna’s presence has already generated considerable curiosity among audiences following the success of Dhurandhar.
The glimpse could provide the first substantial indication of the film’s visual style, scale and approach to mythology. Until now, much of the discussion has been driven by posters, behind-the-scenes images and information about the cast and characters.
A more detailed glimpse could therefore answer several questions surrounding the project, particularly how Shukracharya fits into Maha’s story and how Mahakali connects with the wider Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe.
From Bollywood Intensity to Mythological Grandeur
Akshaye Khanna’s choice of Mahakali represents an interesting shift at a point when his career has entered a new phase.
For years, Khanna has been known for carefully selected performances and an ability to move between different genres. His recent appearances in films such as Chhaava and Dhurandhar have once again brought him into the centre of mainstream conversation.
Following the acclaim surrounding those performances, the actor could have continued with similar intense or negative characters. Instead, Mahakali presents him with an opportunity to explore a mythological figure whose strength lies as much in knowledge and strategic thinking as in physical power.
That difference may ultimately become one of the film’s biggest attractions.
A Character With Potential for Depth
Shukracharya is particularly suited to an actor such as Khanna because the character is not defined by a single emotional quality.
As the teacher of the Asuras, Shukracharya is traditionally associated with intelligence, discipline, spiritual knowledge and strategic thinking. His relationship with the forces he guides can be interpreted through several shades of morality and loyalty.
For Mahakali, this creates the possibility of presenting a character who is powerful without being one-dimensional.
Khanna’s controlled acting style could complement such a role. His ability to communicate tension through expressions and measured performances could be especially effective in a mythological setting where a character’s authority often needs to be established without excessive dialogue.
Bhoomi Shetty Leads the Mythological Superhero Story
While Akshaye Khanna is one of the major attractions of Mahakali, the film remains fundamentally centred on its titular character.
Bhoomi Shetty is set to headline the project as Maha, with the film being positioned as a female-led superhero story. This makes Mahakali an important addition to the PVCU because it expands the universe beyond the male-led superhero narrative associated with its earlier instalments.
Rohit Saraf is also associated with the project, adding further interest to the ensemble.
The combination of mythology, superhero storytelling and a female protagonist gives the film a distinct identity within the expanding Indian cinematic-universe landscape.
What Audiences Can Expect From Akshaye Khanna
While the complete details of the plot remain under wraps, the available information suggests that audiences can expect a visually ambitious mythological world and a substantially transformed Akshaye Khanna.
The actor’s Shukracharya look has already established the character as one of the film’s major talking points. However, the real test will be how Khanna translates the character’s mythology into a cinematic performance.
His journey from Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar to Shukracharya in Mahakali is not merely a change of costume. It represents a shift from grounded crime drama to mythology-inspired superhero cinema.
That contrast is precisely what makes the project interesting.
‘Mahakali’ Could Mark Another New Chapter for Akshaye Khanna
Akshaye Khanna’s career has entered an intriguing phase. After years of being recognised as a respected performer, his recent roles have generated renewed mainstream attention and introduced his work to a new generation of viewers.
With Mahakali, the actor is taking another calculated creative leap.
His portrayal of Shukracharya will be closely watched not only because of his recent success but also because of the scale and ambition of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe. The film gives him an opportunity to explore mythology, fantasy and superhero storytelling while simultaneously making his entry into Telugu cinema.
The first glimpse on August 24 is therefore expected to be an important moment for the project. It could reveal more about the film’s tone, visual effects, characters and Khanna’s interpretation of Shukracharya.
For audiences who were impressed by the actor’s intense presence in Dhurandhar, Mahakali promises something very different — and potentially just as striking.
With Akshaye Khanna stepping into the role of Shukracharya, Mahakali is shaping up as one of the most intriguing upcoming additions to the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe. The actor’s dramatic transformation, his Telugu debut and the film’s female-led mythological superhero narrative have already created strong curiosity. If the first glimpse delivers on the promise of its striking visuals, Akshaye Khanna’s Shukracharya could become another memorable chapter in the actor’s remarkable run of unconventional performances.
