Akshaye Khanna: From Failed Superstar to Bollywood’s New King of Villain Roles

The year 2025 has been a golden year for Akshaye Khanna, one of Bollywood's most serious and powerful actors. His villainous roles in "Chaava" and "Dhurandhar" have once again placed Akshay among Bollywood's top actors. In the Ranveer Singh-starrer "Dhurandhar," Akshay's portrayal of Pakistani gangster Rehman Dacoit has won over audiences and critics alike. His entry scene is creating a buzz on social media, with moviegoers saying, "A villain who overpowers the hero."

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I did not reach my destination by becoming a hero

Akshaye Khanna entered Bollywood as a lead hero in 1997 with his father Vinod Khanna in the film 'Himalaya Putra'. His cute smile, dashing looks, and performance quickly earned him recognition, but he never achieved the success that was expected of him. He worked with renowned actresses like Pooja Bhatt, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, and Amrita Rao. Akshaye proved his acting prowess in films like 'Dil Chahta Hai,' 'Humraaz,' 'Hungama,' and 'Halchal,' but superstar status eluded him. Despite being a star kid, his career gradually became limited.

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Wrote a new story by becoming a villain (Akshaye Khanna villain roles)

The real turning point in Akshay's career came when he showed the courage to break away from his lead hero image and take on a negative role.
This was a significant decision, as it was once considered a risky move for a leading actor to play a villain. However, Akshaye Khanna embraced the challenge and, with his unique style, deep voice, and powerful screen presence, redefined the concept of "villain." His popular negative roles include:

• Race 2

• Dishoom

• Chhava

• Dhurandhar

In these films, Akshay proved that the real joy of acting lies in getting into the depth of the character, whether it is positive or negative.

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2025: Akshaye Khanna's golden year

Akshay's performances in both " Chava" and "Dhurandhar" are so impressive that many audiences are calling him the film's true hero. In "Dhurandhar," Rehman Dacoit's rugged and intense look, his dialogue delivery, and his entry scene all leave a deep impact on audiences. Following the film's release, Akshay has been flooded with praise on social media.

Akshay Khanna's upcoming films

After the success of "Dhurandhar," Akshay is now ready to showcase his talent in South Indian cinema. His first look poster for the Telugu film "Mahakali" was released, showing him as Guru Shukracharya. His heavy beard, long dreadlocks, and sharp eyes—his look surprised fans. The film will release in 2026 and is expected to be a major milestone in Akshay's career.

FAQs

Q1. Why was 2025 special for Akshaye Khanna?

A1. Because his two big films 'Chava' and 'Dhurandhar' were released, in which his villain role received a great response, and he became the headline.

Q2. Which character is played by Akshaye Khanna in 'Dhurandhar'?

A2. He played the powerful role of Pakistani gangster Rehman Dacoit.

Q3. Did Akshaye Khanna start his career as a hero?

A3. Yes, he made his debut as a lead hero in the 1997 film Himalaya Putra.

Q4. Why did Akshaye Khanna not achieve superstar status?

A4. Despite several good films, his lead roles failed to consistently deliver big hits, preventing him from reaching superstar status.

Q5. When did Akshaye Khanna's career start changing?

A5. When he shed his hero image and started playing negative roles —and it was in these roles that he found great success.

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