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JANUARY 02, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

BIGGEST ENTERTAINERS OF 2025

Akshaye Khanna: The Quiet Force Who

Ruled the Box Office in 2025

With back-to-back blockbusters and scene-stealing performances, Akshaye Khanna emerged in 2025 as
Indian cinema’s highest-grossing actor, redefining stardom through restraint rather than spectacle.

n an industry often driven by flam-
boyance, visibility, and relentless
Iself-promotion, Akshaye Khan-
na’s domination of the Indian box
office in 2025 felt almost countercul-
tural. Without social media theatrics
or mass marketing bravado, Khanna
closed the year as the highest-grossing
Indian actor, with his films collective-
ly earning approximately `1,600 crore
worldwide. It was a triumph built not
on leading-man heroics, but on some-
thing rarer: authority, intelligence,
and an uncanny ability to command
the screen in silence.
The cornerstone of his remark-
able year was Chhaava, released on
February 14, 2025. In the historical
epic, Khanna portrayed Emperor
Aurangzeb, a role fraught with po-
litical sensitivity and dramatic ex-
pectation. Instead of leaning into
caricature or overt villainy, Khanna
delivered a performance defined by
what critics called “quiet cruelty.” His Between these two tentpole re- stead, he specialized in morally com- charya, the demon guru, in Mahakali,
Aurangzeb was chilling precisely be- leases came Akshardham: Opera- plex figures—emperors, strategists, part of Prasanth Varma’s expanding
cause he was restrained—measured tion Vajra Shakti, which hit screens soldiers, and criminals—characters cinematic universe—a role that once
glances, controlled speech, and a on July 4, 2025. Reprising his role as that required psychological depth again places him at the intersection
calm that suggested absolute power. Major Hanut Singh, Khanna brought rather than physical flamboyance. of mythology and menace.
The film struck gold at the box office, gravitas to the action thriller, lending His performances in 2025 reinforced There is also speculation around
grossing over `800 crore worldwide, it credibility and emotional weight. a long-standing belief among cine- his involvement in Drishyam 3. While
and Khanna’s portrayal was widely While the film did not reach the philes: that Akshaye Khanna is one reports remain conflicted—some sug-
acknowledged as its emotional and stratospheric earnings of Chhaava or of the finest actors of his generation, gesting he exited due to creative and
dramatic anchor. Dhurandhar, it added significantly to finally enjoying the commercial rec- financial disagreements, others listing
If Chhaava established Khanna’s his cumulative box-office tally and re- ognition that long eluded him. him in the cast—the very uncertainty
authority in historical drama, Dhu- inforced his versatility across genres. Industry observers also noted reflects his current standing. Khanna
randhar confirmed his supremacy By the end of the year, the num- that Khanna’s resurgence was not is no longer a supporting player; his
in contemporary action cinema. Re- bers told a striking story. Akshaye accidental. His careful selection of presence or absence can significant-
leased on December 5, 2025, the spy Khanna was the only actor in 2025 scripts, his willingness to play power- ly shape a franchise’s fate. Adding to
thriller became the highest-grossing to cross `800 crore net at the Indian ful antagonists, and his comfort with the anticipation is the possibility of
Indian film of the year, crossing the box office. Globally, his films outper- letting the story take precedence over his return in Border 2, reprising his
`1,000 crore mark globally. Playing formed those of much younger and his own stardom marked a strategic iconic role from the 1997 classic, a
Rehman Dakait, a ruthless Pakistani more commercially branded stars, evolution. In a way, 2025 felt less like move that could blend nostalgia with
crime lord, Khanna once again occu- including Akshay Kumar, Salman a comeback and more like a culmina- his newly cemented box-office clout.
pied the antagonist’s space—but with Khan, and Rishab Shetty. In an era tion—a year when the industry finally In 2025, Akshaye Khanna did
such force that many critics noted he obsessed with opening-day records aligned with his strengths. more than top the earnings charts.
overshadowed the film’s lead star, and social media metrics, Khanna’s Looking ahead, Khanna’s slate He altered the definition of a com-
Ranveer Singh. Reviews repeatedly ascent was rooted in sustained audi- suggests that his dominance is far mercial superstar. His success proved
pointed out that Khanna “stole the ence trust rather than hype. from over. Dhurandhar 2 is already that audiences still reward nuance,
thunder,” crafting a villain who was What made his success partic- locked in for a pan-India release on intelligence, and restraint—and that
terrifying not because he shouted ularly notable was the nature of his March 19, 2026, with expectations sometimes, the most powerful per-
or postured, but because he seemed roles. Khanna did not rely on roman- riding high after the first film’s suc- formances are delivered without rais-
perpetually in control. tic leads or traditional heroic arcs. In- cess. He is also set to play Shukra- ing one’s voice.

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