The year 2025 has witnessed a seismic shift in Bollywood's commercial hierarchy, with veteran actor Akshaye Khanna achieving a monumental box office milestone. Powered by the historic successes of his two major releases, Chhaava and Dhurandhar, Khanna has entered a rarefied commercial league, becoming only the second Indian actor ever to accomplish this specific feat.
From Aurangzeb to Rehman Dakait: A Double Blockbuster Year
Akshaye Khanna kicked off 2025 with a powerful performance as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the period drama Chhaava, starring opposite Vicky Kaushal. The film resonated massively with audiences, eventually raking in over Rs 800 crore globally. This staggering figure positioned it as the third-highest-grossing Indian film of the year, setting a phenomenal precedent for the actor.
He then followed this triumph with Aditya Dhar's spy action thriller Dhurandhar, where he shared screen space with Ranveer Singh. Released on December 5, 2025, and still captivating audiences in theatres, the film has shattered records by crossing the Rs 1,100 crore mark worldwide. Khanna's portrayal of the complex Pakistani gangster Rehman Dakait has been singled out for widespread critical and audience acclaim, becoming a major driving force behind the film's success.
Entering the Rs 2000 Crore Club: A Feat Matched Only by SRK
The combined worldwide collections of Chhaava and Dhurandhar have soared past the Rs 2,000 crore mark within a single calendar year. This extraordinary achievement places Akshaye Khanna in an exclusive club where he stands as the second Indian actor after megastar Shah Rukh Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan set this benchmark in 2023 when his trio of releases—Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki—collectively grossed approximately Rs 2,685 crore worldwide. While Aamir Khan's Dangal also crossed the Rs 2,000 crore threshold, its collections were accumulated over two years with staggered international releases, making Khanna's single-year haul uniquely impressive.
How Other Top Stars Compare
This milestone underscores Akshaye Khanna's sudden and dominant position in the industry's commercial landscape. Other leading stars have come close but haven't yet breached this specific annual barrier:
- Prabhas's Baahubali 2: The Conclusion and Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule each earned over Rs 1,700 crore.
- Ranbir Kapoor remains a potential contender to join this elite group with his upcoming big-ticket projects, Ramayana and Love & War.
The industry is abuzz with praise, with filmmaker Farah Khan's recent comment that Khanna "deserves an Oscar" for his performance in Dhurandhar further fueling the frenzy around the actor's career resurgence.
Beyond the Box Office: A New Chapter with Mahakali
Riding the unprecedented wave of success, Akshaye Khanna has swiftly moved to his next ambitious project. After making headlines earlier for his controversial exit from Drishyam 3, the actor is now channeling his focus into the mythological epic Mahakali.
This film marks a significant career move as it represents Khanna's debut in Telugu cinema. He has officially joined the sets of the film, which stars Bhoomi Shetty in the lead role of Maha. Mahakali is positioned as a crucial part of the expanding Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU).
Filmmaker Prashanth Varma had unveiled Khanna's first-look poster back in September 2024, revealing the actor in the pivotal role of Shukracharya, a key figure in the mythological narrative. This project signals an exciting new phase for the actor, blending his newfound box office might with a bold foray into pan-Indian cinema.
Akshaye Khanna's 2025 journey—from a powerful Mughal emperor to a menacing gangster, and now to a mythological guru—showcases his exceptional versatility. His entry into the Rs 2000 crore club is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the changing dynamics of stardom and success in Indian cinema, proving that compelling performances in quality films can resonate powerfully at the box office, creating new legends in the process.
