In the ever-changing landscape of Bollywood where stardom is a privilege and a burden, the post-pandemic journey of Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar is a fascinating study in contrasts.
Both debuted in 1991 and have been locked in a healthy competition for decades, their fan clubs fuelLing endless debates and comparisons.
Also Read – Soulful, Steamy & Sweet: Surprise BO Hit of 2025?
Their careers have been marked by versatility and prolific output and for a long time, they were parallel tracks, each commanding equal respect at the box office.
But something fundamental has changed since the pandemic—a change not just in numbers but in perception, strategy and most importantly relevance.
Also Read – Body Shamed: Mahesh Babu Heroine Shuts down Trolls
The numbers are stark: Ajay Devgn’s post-pandemic success rate is 25% and Akshay Kumar’s is a meagre 12.5%. This isn’t just a statistical result—it’s the result of Devgn’s willingness to experiment, to offer audiences something new.
He’s done horror thrillers, patriotic dramas, romantic films and mass entertainers, so each film feels fresh. Akshay on the other hand seems stuck in a loop of biopics, remakes and formulaic patriotism, churning out films with such frequency and sameness that even his once loyal audience has gotten tired.
Also Read – Indians Spent 115 Cr to Laugh at Sexism: Brain Rot?
The result is Even a heavily promoted franchise film like “Kesari 2” underperforms and Devgn’s less hyped “Raid 2” beats it at the box office.
Devgn’s low-key off-screen persona focused on craft over publicity has preserved his mystique and credibility.
Akshay’s omnipresence and repetitive choices have cost him his stardom and audience trust. In the end, Devgn’s smart work beats Akshay’s hard work—a lesson Bollywood’s “Khiladi” seems to be ignoring.
