With a career spanning over three decades in the Hindi film industry, Akshaye Khanna has long been admired for his understated brilliance, but 2025 truly stands out as a defining chapter in his cinematic journey. Calling it the year of Akshaye Khanna would hardly be an overstatement, as the actor delivered a remarkable double triumph by portraying the antagonist in two major releases that went on to become the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year. His performances were widely praised by critics and audiences alike, once again reaffirming his ability to command the screen with quiet intensity and nuance.
Beyond the accolades and rave reviews, Akshaye also achieved a historic commercial milestone, emerging as only the second Indian actor to cross the staggering Rs 2000 crore mark at the box office within a single calendar year. This rare blend of critical acclaim and massive box office success has cemented 2025 as a landmark year in Akshaye Khanna’s illustrious career, underscoring his enduring relevance and formidable presence in contemporary cinema.
Akshaye Khanna's roles which dominated screens in 2025
Akshaye Khanna first made a strong impact as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Laxman Utekar’s Chhaava, headlined by Vicky Kaushal. Released in January 2025, the film went on to collect Rs 809 crore worldwide and held the title of the year’s highest-grossing Indian film for months.
In December, Akshaye Khanna returned as the formidable gangster Rehman Dakait in Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller Dhurandhar, stealing the spotlight despite a stellar cast that included Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal. Driven by strong word of mouth, the film emerged as the most successful Hindi release domestically, grossing Rs 1167 crore worldwide so far and set to cross Rs 2000 crore collectively with Chhaava within the year.
ALSO READ: Akshaye Khanna Kicks Off Telugu Debut Mahakali, See Viral PHOTO From Sets
Shah Rukh Khan remains the only other Indian actor to cross the Rs 2000 crore mark in a single year, achieving the feat in 2023 with Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki, which together earned Rs 2685 crore worldwide. While Aamir Khan’s Dangal also crossed RS 2000 crore globally, it did so over two years and separate release windows, first earning Rs 716 crore in 2016 before adding nearly RS 1300 crore from its China release in 2017.