Akhil Akkineni has finally opened up about the real reason behind his long break from films. While many believed the gap was only because of the poor performance of his 2023 film Agent, the actor has now revealed that he also suffered a serious accident that changed his life. Speaking during the promotions of his upcoming film Lenin alongside co star Bhagyashri Borse, Akhil shared that he needed two surgeries and spent nearly 16 months recovering from the injury. He admitted that the difficult period affected him both physically and mentally, making it one of the toughest phases of his life.
In an interview with the Idlebrain YouTube channel, Akhil explained that the accident happened just a few months after Agent was released. He slipped on a wet bathroom floor and fell onto a piece of broken glass. The glass badly injured his left hand, cutting through a vein, a nerve, and a tendon in his ring finger and middle finger. The actor revealed that he received 48 stitches and had to undergo two surgeries to repair the damage. Because of the injury, he could not lift weights or return to his regular fitness routine for several months. He said it took him around 16 months to recover fully and regain the confidence to perform action scenes and train in the gym again. Akhil also admitted that the accident and the disappointing result of Agent left him feeling mentally exhausted, but he believes the difficult journey made him stronger. He promised fans that he would work even harder and not let such setbacks happen again.
Akhil said that his first reaction after the accident was pain and disappointment. However, instead of giving up, he decided to use those emotions as motivation for his comeback. He believes that all the struggles he faced have prepared him for a fresh beginning with Lenin. The actor hopes audiences will see a new side of him in the upcoming film.
Akhil began his acting journey as a child artist in Sisindri before making a brief appearance in Manam. He made his debut as a lead actor with Akhil in 2015, but the film failed at the box office. His next films Hello and Mr Majnu also struggled to impress audiences. He finally tasted success with Most Eligible Bachelor in 2021, which earned more than ₹50 crore worldwide. However, Agent turned out to be another major setback, collecting only around ₹13 crore globally. After the film’s release, Akhil apologised to fans and promised to return stronger. Now, he is hoping Lenin will mark a new chapter in his career. Directed by Murali Kishor Abburu and produced by Nagarjuna Akkineni and Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, the film is scheduled to release in theatres on July 10.