In a historic turn of events for Indian cinema, Akshaye Khanna has shattered major box office records in 2025, becoming the first non-Khan actor to join the elite ₹2000-crore club in a single calendar year.
The actor, who has enjoyed a massive resurgence following Drishyam 2, reached this milestone on the back of two colossal blockbusters: the historical epic Chhaava and the high-octane spy thriller Dhurandhar.
The Road to ₹2000 Crore: A Year of Villains
Remarkably, Akshaye Khanna achieved this commercial peak while playing the primary antagonist in both his major 2025 releases.
| Film | Role | Worldwide Collection | Key Highlight |
| Chhaava | Aurangzeb | ₹809 Crore | Highest-grossing historical drama of the year. |
| Dhurandhar | Rehman Dakait | ₹1,192+ Crore | Currently the #1 Hindi film of 2025; still running in theaters. |
| Total | — | ₹2,001 Crore+ | Confirmed Milestone: Jan 3, 2026 |
Entering the “Shah Rukh Khan League”
Until today, Shah Rukh Khan was the only Indian actor to cross the ₹2000-crore global mark in a single year, a feat he achieved in 2023 with the combined power of Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki (approx. ₹2685 crore). While Aamir Khan’s Dangal eventually grossed over ₹2000 crore, those earnings were spread across two years due to delayed international releases.
The “Dhurandhar” Phenomenon
Released in December 2025, Dhurandhar has become a cultural juggernaut. Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of the gangster Rehman Dakait has sparked a viral wave on social media, with fans particularly obsessed with his “Bahraini rap” dance sequence. As of January 3, 2026, the film is entering its fifth week with strong occupancy, comfortably beating out new releases like Ikkis.
What’s Next for Akshaye Khanna in 2026?
Despite a recent controversy regarding his exit from Drishyam 3, Khanna’s upcoming slate is packed with high-budget projects:
- Mahakali: His official Telugu debut, playing the role of Shukracharya in Prashanth Varma’s Cinematic Universe.
- Dhurandhar 2: Scheduled for an Eid 2026 release (March 19), where he is expected to return in flashback sequences.
- Ikka: A direct-to-OTT thriller alongside Sunny Deol.