Akshaye Khanna Moves Forward With Mahakali Despite Drishyam 3 Exit

Actor Akshaye Khanna has joined the sets of his forthcoming Telugu film Mahakali, marking his debut in the South Indian film industry. Despite recent controversies surrounding his exit from Drishyam 3, the actor continues moving forward with new projects. Director Puja Kolluru shared an on-set selfie with Akshaye on Instagram, confirming his involvement in the production.

Mahakali: A New Beginning

The mythological epic, which is part of the Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), features Bhoomi Shetty in the lead role as Maha. Akshaye plays Shukracharya in the film, which is being touted as Tollywood’s first female superhero film. The movie is scheduled for an early 2026 release, giving the team several months to complete production.

Producer Hits Back at Actor

Meanwhile, Drishyam 3 producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has publicly criticized Akshaye’s professionalism and on-set behavior. Speaking to media outlets, Pathak claimed that success has gone to the actor’s head and expressed disappointment over his sudden exit just days before shooting was supposed to begin. He also sent a legal notice to the actor following his departure from the franchise.

Pathak emphasized that Akshaye owes much of his recent career momentum to previous collaborations, particularly crediting the success of Dhurandhar to lead actor Ranveer Singh rather than Akshaye. The producer’s statements suggest significant tension between the two parties, raising questions about Akshaye’s professional reputation in the industry moving forward.