Mumbai | January 19, 2026
Actor Akshaye Khanna will not be part of the upcoming film ‘Race 4,’ producer Ramesh Taurani confirmed, ending speculation about his return to the popular action-thriller franchise. Taurani stated that there is no narrative space to bring back Khanna’s iconic character Rajiv Singh, who died in the 2008 film.
Despite his absence from Race 4, Akshaye Khanna is experiencing the most successful phase of his career. The 2025–26 period has positioned him among the top-grossing stars in Indian cinema, with the actor becoming only the second Indian star after Shah Rukh Khan to deliver over ₹2,000 crore in worldwide collections in a single calendar year (2025).
Record-Smashing Blockbusters in 2025
Khanna’s resurgence has been powered by multiple blockbusters:
Dhurandhar
Khanna’s performance as ‘Rahman Dakaait’ and his viral dance number ‘FA9LA’ earned massive popularity.
Worldwide Collection: ₹1,100+ croreChhaava
His portrayal of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb drew widespread critical praise.
Worldwide Collection: ₹800+ crore
These back-to-back successes cemented Akshaye Khanna as one of the most profitable actors in the industry.
Upcoming Projects Despite ‘Race 4’ Exit
Even without Race 4, the actor has a strong lineup:
Mahakali
Khanna will make his Telugu debut, playing Asuraguru Shukracharya in this mythological epic.Dhurandhar 2
Scheduled for an Eid release on March 19, 2026, where he may appear in flashback sequences.Untitled Sunny Deol Film
A major commercial project currently in development.
With career-defining roles, box-office dominance, and major films ahead, Akshaye Khanna has firmly established himself as one of Bollywood’s most successful and bankable stars.
