Entertainment
Akshaye Khanna’s Shukracharya Look From ‘Mahakali’ Goes Viral: ‘This Frame and Look… Goosebumps!’
The Dhurandhar actor is set to make his Telugu debut with Mahakali, and his striking transformation as the mythological figure Shukracharya has already triggered a strong reaction online.
Akshaye Khanna is proving once again that he can disappear completely into a character.
The Dhurandhar actor is set to make his Telugu film debut with Mahakali, and the first look at his character has already created a buzz across social media.
The makers have announced that the first glimpse of the film will be released on August 24, 2026. Ahead of the reveal, a striking poster featuring Khanna as Shukracharya, the revered spiritual teacher of the Asuras in Hindu mythology, was released online.
And the internet clearly wasn’t expecting this version of the actor.
Akshaye Khanna’s transformation leaves fans stunned
The first-look image presents Khanna in a dramatically different avatar.
The actor can be seen with a long beard, matted hair tied into a high topknot and prominent tilak markings across his forehead. Traditional jewellery and layered attire complete the mythological appearance.
The transformation is almost unrecognisable compared with some of his recent performances in films such as Drishyam 2, Chhaava and Dhurandhar.
The makers’ social media announcement carried the intriguing tagline, “24th August – The End Begins”, immediately adding to the mystery surrounding the project.
‘We’re NOT surviving bare-torsoed Akshaye’
The look quickly became a talking point among film fans, with several users expressing excitement over Khanna’s transformation.
One Instagram user jokingly wrote, “We’re NOT surviving bare-torsoed Akshaye.”
Another fan commented, “Doomsday can wait.. I am excited for this project more.”
A third reaction summed up the visual impact of the poster: “This frame and look… Goosebumps…can’t wait to see AK in the avatar.”
The reactions underline the curiosity surrounding Khanna’s role, particularly because the actor is known for choosing performances that allow him to explore very different shades of characters.
Prasanth Varma praises Akshaye Khanna’s acting
Director Prasanth Varma has previously spoken highly of Khanna’s acting abilities.
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In a social media birthday tribute to the actor, Varma described him as a performer whose talent does not require unnecessary noise or attention.
He praised Khanna’s screen presence and performances and said it was an honour to work with him.
That admiration has only increased interest in what the actor will bring to Mahakali, particularly in a role rooted in Indian mythology.
‘Mahakali’ expands the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe
The film is part of the expanding Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), which began with the successful superhero film Hanu-Man.
The universe has become known for combining Indian mythology, traditional cultural themes and modern visual effects, creating a distinctly Indian approach to large-scale genre filmmaking.
The franchise is also expanding with projects including Jai Hanuman and Adhira.
With Mahakali, the universe is expected to explore another mythological character and narrative while maintaining the cinematic style that has become associated with Varma’s films.
Bhoomi Shetty plays Mahakali
Directed by Puja Kolluru and presented by RK Duggal, Mahakali is being produced by Riwaz Ramesh Duggal under the RKD Studios banner.
Alongside Akshaye Khanna, the film features Bhoomi Shetty in the titular role of Mahakali and Rohit Saraf in a prominent role.
The casting itself has added another layer of interest to the project, with Khanna making his Telugu debut in a mythological world rather than taking a conventional commercial role.
First glimpse arrives on August 24
For now, the makers are keeping most of the film’s story and Khanna’s character details under wraps.
The first glimpse scheduled for August 24 should provide a much clearer idea of the film’s visual scale, mythology and the role played by Shukracharya.
But judging by the first-look poster alone, Akshaye Khanna appears to have undergone one of the most striking transformations of his recent career.
After winning attention for his performances in Dhurandhar and other recent projects, his Telugu debut could introduce him to an entirely new audience and if the online reaction to his Shukracharya look is anything to go by, expectations are already high.
