Akshaye Khanna’s gripping action drama, originally released as State of Siege: Temple Attack on OTT in July 2021, is now headed for a theatrical release under a new title — Akshardham: Operation Vajra Shakti. The film will hit cinemas on 4 July 2025.
To announce the release, the makers unveiled a striking new poster on social media. Featuring the silhouette of an armed commando cast against the imposing pillars of a temple, the caption read:
“An act of terror met with unmatched bravery. The story of courage, sacrifice, and survival comes alive in #AkshardhamOperationVajraShakti. In cinemas on 4th July, 2025.”
Directed by Ken Ghosh, the film is a fictionalised depiction inspired by the 2002 terrorist attack on the Akshardham Temple in Gujarat, and the subsequent National Security Guard (NSG) operation that followed. It serves as a standalone sequel to State of Siege: 26/11, which focused on the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Khanna reprises his role as NSG officer Major Hanut Singh, leading a cast that includes Gautam Rode, Vivek Dahiya, Akshay Oberoi, Parvin Dabas, Samir Soni, Abhimanyu Singh, Mir Sarwar, and Manjari Fadnis.
Presented by Zee Studios, the film is produced by Abhimanyu Singh in association with Contiloe Pictures. The screenplay is written by William Borthwick and Simon Fantauzzo, with cinematography by Tejal Shetye and editing by Mukesh Thakur.
Akshardham: Operation Vajra Shakti promises a powerful cinematic portrayal of courage under fire, as it brings one of India’s darkest days to the big screen.