As audiences gradually drifted away from slice-of-life dramas and experimental genres after the lockdowns, Bollywood’s biggest stars leaned into what seemed like the safest bet: high-octane action with a “mass” appeal. From Shah Rukh Khan reinventing himself with Pathaan and Jawan to Ranbir Kapoor’s gritty success in Animal, the industry saw a clear pattern emerge. Even actors known for nuanced performances, like Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao, stepped into this space with films like Bhaiyaji and Maalik.
Yet, amid this widespread shift, Akshay Kumar appears to be taking a different route.
