Akshaye Khanna is all set to play Shukracharya in the upcoming multilingual film Mahakali, marking his Telugu cinema debut. Directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru and backed by showrunner Prasanth Varma, the film is a key addition to the expanding Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe.
A revered figure in Hindu mythology, Shukracharya is known as the guru of the asuras and is most famously associated with the Mrit-Sanjivani Mantra, a sacred power believed to restore life to the dead.
That layered complexity makes Akshaye Khanna’s casting all the more compelling. Known for his intensity and screen presence, the actor seems well-suited to bring depth and gravitas to Shukracharya, with his first look already generating strong curiosity around Mahakali.
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On the occasion of Khanna’s birthday, filmmaker Prasanth Varma shared a special tribute to the actor, offering a glimpse into the admiration surrounding his presence in the film.
The film also features Bhoomi Shetty in the lead, with makers calling her character the most ferocious superhero in the cinematic universe. With Mahakali, the franchise seems set to blend mythology, fantasy, and superhero storytelling, with Shukracharya adding depth, power, and moral complexity to the narrative.
For Akshaye Khanna, the role comes at a strong moment in his career. After Dhurandhar, where his portrayal of Rehman Dakait gained wide attention, he returns to the spotlight, reaffirming his signature style of quiet intensity and controlled screen presence. Mahakali now offers him an entirely different canvas.
Unlike his recent grounded roles, Shukracharya demands a far more layered portrayal- a mythological figure shaped by ideology, intellect, and cosmic conflict. Neither purely villainous nor heroic, he stands as a pragmatic and complex presence, making the role one of the film’s most intriguing.
With Mahakali embracing a larger-than-life cinematic scale, Akshaye Khanna’s casting brings both depth and unpredictability, positioning him as a compelling force within the story.
