For actor Akshay Oberoi, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year. With appearances lined up in two major big-budget films – Shah Rukh Khan’s King and Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups – the actor is stepping into a phase marked by scale and visibility.
Yet, despite the noise surrounding these high-profile projects, Oberoi admits that one of his most exciting upcoming films is a comparatively quieter, performance-driven thriller headlined by Manoj Bajpayee.
The project, produced by Neeraj Pandey, has left a deep impression on Oberoi, not just professionally but creatively.
Working Under Neeraj Pandey’s Vision
What sets the untitled thriller apart for Oberoi is the opportunity to collaborate with Neeraj Pandey, a filmmaker widely respected for his command over intelligent, grounded thrillers. Speaking about the experience, Oberoi acknowledged how transformative the collaboration has been.
“Neeraj sir’s understanding of this [genre] is incredible. I’ve come away from this project feeling like I’ve grown, not just as an actor, but as someone who understands storytelling better,” he said.
The actor noted that Pandey’s approach goes far beyond surface-level execution. Every scene, pause, and emotional beat is rooted in narrative intent, pushing performers to think beyond dialogue delivery. The film also marks screenwriter Ritesh Shah’s directorial debut, adding a layer of creative curiosity and freshness to the project.
Sharing the Screen With Manoj Bajpayee
If Neeraj Pandey’s involvement elevated the film intellectually, sharing screen space with Manoj Bajpayee made it personally enriching for Oberoi. The actor described Bajpayee as a masterclass in discipline and intensity.
“Manoj sir is an institution in himself. Just watching the way he prepares and the intensity with which he approaches his work is inspiring. Being around that kind of focus pushes you to be better,” Oberoi said.
Observing Bajpayee’s process – from preparation to performance – served as a reminder of what sustained excellence looks like. Oberoi admitted that the experience challenged him to sharpen his own craft and bring greater emotional honesty to his work.
Balancing Scale and Substance
With King and Toxic promising grand cinematic spectacle, and the Manoj Bajpayee-led thriller offering restraint and depth, Oberoi believes he has found the balance he was seeking at this stage of his career. Rather than being drawn to one type of cinema, he is consciously choosing projects that stretch him across formats and genres.
For Oberoi, 2026 isn’t just about visibility – it’s about evolution. Standing at the intersection of mainstream scale and thoughtful storytelling, the actor seems poised to embrace both with equal conviction.