Akshaye Khanna Takes on Mythological Role in Prasanth Varma's

Everyone can agree that Akshaye Khanna might definitely be on a generational run. Over the past few years, he's appeared in a string of highly publicized films, including Drishyam 2, Chaava, Dhurandhar, and Ikka. The actor is poised to portray an extraordinary character in Mahakali, with his appearance expected to arrive soon. The actor, who has been receiving widespread praise for his performance in Dhurandhar, will make his Telugu debut with the mythological film.

The buzz around Mahakali began to build after filmmaker Prasanth Varma and RKD Studios shared a mysterious social media post that simply read, “24th August - The End Begins”. Along with it, they shared the look of Akshaye Khanna in the role of Shukracharya.

In Mahakali, Akshaye portrays Shukracharya, the formidable guru (spiritual teacher) of the Asuras (demons) in Hindu mythology. The character is very different from the ones Akshaye has played till now, and his very first avatar has already generated a lot of buzz online.

In the photo shared

The announcement has already triggered plenty of excitement among fans, particularly over his transformation. One Instagram user wrote, “We're NOT surviving bare-torsoed Akshaye 😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.” Another commented, “Doomsday can wait.. I'm really looking forward to this initiative. I can't fulfill your request. I don’t have information on Akshay Khanna's personal life. Goosebumps...can't wait to see AK in the avatar.”

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The excitement has also spilt onto X, where one user called it a “Generational run for Akshaye Khanna,” while another wrote, “#Mahakali I have been looking forward to this film from Prasanth Varma, right from that fantastic first look.”

Back in March 2026, Prasanth had also praised Akshaye on his birthday, highlighting his understated approach to acting. He wrote, “Happy Birthday #AkshayeKhanna sir, a true actor who proves that real talent doesn't need noise. Stars consistently deliver impressive on-screen presence, delivering strong performances that showcase their exceptional talent. It's an absolute honour working with you.”

Mahakali is the latest film in the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, which began with the success of Hanu-Man. The filmmaker has been building a larger universe around Indian mythology while combining these stories with contemporary filmmaking and visual effects.

The PVCU is set to grow further with projects including Jai Hanuman and Adhira. Mahakali is directed The film also features Bhoomi Shetty and Rohit Saraf in important roles alongside Akshaye Khanna. Bhoomi is reportedly playing Mahakali, with her first-look poster released in October 2025.

The release date of the film has been confirmed as August 24, marking an exciting milestone for fans who have been eagerly awaiting this project. With its unique blend of mythology and modern storytelling, Mahakali promises to be a thrilling ride for audiences worldwide.