The box office storm created by Dhurandhar continues unabated even as 2026 begins. Released in the final month of 2025, the film has shown extraordinary staying power, earning more than ₹15 crore even on its 28th day and taking its total worldwide collection beyond ₹1100 crore. Among the performances that stood out, Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of the dreaded dacoit Rehman received widespread praise.

However, fans hoping to see Akshaye return in the sequel may be disappointed. His character’s arc concludes in the first film, and he will not be part of the sequel scheduled for release on March 19. Around the same time, his name has also been linked to discussions around Drishyam 3, following which the makers reportedly made some key narrative changes after his exit.

Despite wrapping up Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna shows no signs of slowing down. Reports suggest that he may appear in a cameo in Border 2 and will also be seen sharing screen space with Sunny Deol in Ikka. Adding to the excitement, the actor is also stepping into new territory with his Telugu cinema debut.

Recently, a picture from the sets of his upcoming film Mahakali surfaced online, instantly grabbing attention. In the film, Akshaye Khanna will be seen playing the role of Shukracharya, a character that marks a significant shift from his recent intense, realistic roles.

The leaked images were shared by director Puja Aparna Kolluru on social media. The photos show her supervising the shoot from behind the camera, while Akshaye Khanna is also seen on set along with filmmaker Prashanth Varma and the rest of the team. While it is believed that a portion of the film has already been shot, some parts are still pending, clearly indicating that Mahakali has officially gone on floors.

In Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna’s Rehman may have had a limited arc, but it was one of the most impactful roles in the film. From his commanding screen presence to his expressions, style, and performance, the actor left a lasting impression that many feel set the emotional and dramatic tone of the story.

With Dhurandhar rewriting box office records and Mahakali marking a new chapter in his career, Akshaye Khanna is firmly positioned for another strong phase—proving once again that he remains one of the most compelling performers in Indian cinema today.