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‘Dhurandhar,’ Aditya Dhar’s spy-thriller, had a phenomenal opening, nearing the ₹100 crore mark during its first weekend. This proves it is one of the year’s biggest films. Ranveer Singh plays the intense, restrained undercover agent ‘Hamza,’ earning praise for his fierce performance.
Want to understand the complete psychological depth and gritty drama that Aditya Dhar brought to this spy thriller? Click here to read our full, in-depth Dhurandhar Movie Review and see why it’s the film of the year!
However, as word-of-mouth has spread, one name has dominated the conversation in the industry and on social media, capturing everyone’s attention: Akshaye Khanna.
In the film, Akshaye Khanna portrays the ruthless Pakistani crime lord and politician, Rehman Dakait. Critics and audiences alike believe his performance is so powerful and masterclass that he has effectively ‘overshadowed’ the film’s lead actor, Ranveer Singh.
Why Akshaye Khanna Is Being Called a Scene Stealer
Akshaye Khanna’s performance is great, but the discussion goes beyond acting. People are talking about the strong “aura” and psychological depth he gives the villain.
Fans on social media are constantly raving about his ‘entry sequence.’ His entry, set to an Arabic song and featuring a specifically choreographed sequence, has created a major buzz in theaters. Additionally, his casual ‘Whoooa’ dialogue following a high-tension scene has gone viral.
The key factor is the contrast: Ranveer Singh held back his energy to play a quiet spy, but Akshaye Khanna commanded the screen using only his intense eyes and chilling silence. Audiences say Akshaye elevates the film simply through his presence, never needing to shout or be outwardly loud.
The Bobby Deol Moment: Is This Akshaye’s Comeback?
Fans and critics now directly compare this phenomenal return by Akshaye Khanna to Bobby Deol’s career revival after his standout performance in ‘Animal.’ Much like Bobby Deol, the industry long considered Akshaye Khanna an underrated actor. He kept a low profile and chose his work selectively.
However, his memorable negative roles first in Chhaava and now in Dhurandhar captured the industry’s imagination. Fans are declaring him the ‘Comeback King,’ proving that today’s audience values sheer performance over conventional stardom.
Director Aditya Dhar also deserves significant credit for casting Akshaye Khanna in a role that perfectly utilizes his unique talent.
Ranveer Singh: The Anchor vs. The Predator
It is important to note that Ranveer Singh’s performance has also been widely praised. Critics have described Ranveer as the film’s ‘anchor,’ grounding the entire story with sincerity and grit as Hamza. In contrast, Akshaye Khanna is seen as the ‘Predator,’ the element of danger that multiplies the tension whenever he appears on screen.
In summary, ‘Dhurandhar’ has not only found success at the Box Office but has also delivered a sensational career turnaround for Akshaye Khanna. This resurgence will likely lead to him securing more large-scale, intense roles in the near future. 2025 is truly shaping up to be Akshaye Khanna’s year.
