Akshaye Khanna villain roles are set to continue on screen, even as the actor had hoped to surprise audiences with a dramatic shift. According to industry sources, Akshaye will next be seen as an antagonist in Siddharth P Malhotra’s Ikka, which is scheduled to release on Netflix, arriving before his much-anticipated Telugu debut Mahakali.
After receiving widespread acclaim for his chilling performance in Dhurandhar, Akshaye was keen to follow it up with a protagonist-driven role. However, release schedules have reshuffled that plan, placing him once again in the shoes of a powerful adversary.
Akshaye Khanna Villain Roles Gain Momentum After Dhurandhar
Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of a cold, calculating antagonist in Dhurandhar took audiences by surprise and marked a major turning point in his career. The performance not only earned him critical acclaim but also re-established him as one of Hindi cinema’s most reliable character actors.
Following this success, insiders reveal that Akshaye was eager to balance perceptions by headlining a film as a hero. However, circumstances have led to audiences witnessing him once again in a negative role before that transformation arrives.
Why Ikka Is Releasing Before Mahakali
According to a source close to the actor, Akshaye had hoped that Mahakali, his Telugu debut, would release immediately after Dhurandhar. In Mahakali, he plays Asura Guru Shukracharya, a spiritual guide and central figure in the narrative—marking a sharp departure from the assassin persona that recently defined him.
However, Ikka was signed during Akshaye’s lean phase and completed much earlier. With Netflix fast-tracking its release, the courtroom drama will now reach audiences before Mahakali, unintentionally positioning Akshaye in back-to-back antagonist roles.
Akshaye Khanna as the Antagonist in Ikka
In Ikka, Akshaye Khanna plays a white-collar criminal, standing opposite Sunny Deol, who essays the role of a lawyer fighting a high-profile legal battle. Unlike the violent menace of Dhurandhar, Akshaye’s character in Ikka is said to be controlled, strategic, and morally opaque.
Sources suggest that the role leans heavily on intellect and influence rather than brute force, allowing Akshaye to explore a different shade of villainy. The courtroom setting also places his character in direct ideological conflict with Sunny Deol’s crusading lawyer.
Mahakali: A Very Different Akshaye Khanna
In contrast to Ikka, Mahakali presents Akshaye Khanna in a completely new light. His character, Guru Shukracharya, is a full-length role rooted in spirituality, mythology, and moral complexity.
Industry watchers see Mahakali as a crucial project for Akshaye, especially as it marks his Telugu cinema debut. The role positions him as a protagonist rather than an antagonist, potentially reshaping audience perception after a string of dark, intense characters.
Ikka Cast, Director, and Netflix Reveal
Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, Ikka also stars Dia Mirza and Tillotama Shome in pivotal roles. The film was officially announced as part of Netflix’s upcoming slate at the recent Netflix What Next event in Mumbai.
The streaming platform positioned Ikka as a serious, issue-driven courtroom drama, signalling a strong focus on performances and ethical conflict rather than spectacle.
Akshaye Khanna’s Career Renaissance Phase
Akshaye Khanna’s recent choices reflect a careful rebuilding of his career through layered, performance-driven roles. While he may have hoped for a heroic follow-up to Dhurandhar, industry experts note that back-to-back villain roles could further cement his reputation as an actor capable of elevating any narrative.
His return to prominence has been marked by restraint, intelligence, and unpredictability—qualities that continue to set him apart in an industry driven by larger-than-life personas.
Jay-Ho Scoop
While Akshaye Khanna villain roles may dominate his immediate screen presence with Ikka arriving before Mahakali, the contrast between these projects highlights his range rather than limiting it. From a white-collar criminal in a Netflix courtroom drama to a spiritual protagonist in Telugu cinema, Akshaye’s upcoming slate suggests an actor firmly in control of his second innings.
