The Return of the Show Stealer: Why Akshaye Khanna Won Hearts in Dhurandhar Part 1
The release of the spy thriller Dhurandhar Part 1 did not just mark another blockbuster for Bollywood; it cemented the status of Akshaye Khanna as a quiet powerhouse, an actor whose sheer presence can effortlessly dominate the screen. Playing the chilling yet charismatic antagonist, Rehman Dakait, Khanna has become the undisputed talking point of the film, with audiences hailing his performance as the true show-stealer.
Masterclass Performance and the Viral Entry Dance
Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of the Pakistani crime lord and politician, Rehman Dakait, is a study in subtle menace and controlled power. The audience reaction has been overwhelmingly focused on his ability to exude an aura of danger and charm without resorting to melodrama.
- Chilling Screen Presence: Khanna’s performance relies heavily on stillness and a piercing, unnerving calm. He operates with psychological tension, making his character’s quiet moments feel louder and more threatening than any grand spectacle. Fans online described his aura as “terrific” and noted how he “nailed every single scene” with chilling ease, often overshadowing even the main lead.
- The “Wooooo” Moment: A particular dialogue, where he casually delivers a “wooooo” after a tense sequence, has gone viral, showcasing his character’s unique blend of lethal danger and unexpected casualness. This nuance is the hallmark of an acting masterclass, proving that true impact comes from precision, not loudness.
The ‘FA9LA’ Dance That Stole the Show
The most iconic moment that captured the public’s imagination—and broke the internet—was Akshaye Khanna’s dramatic, swagger-filled entry scene set to the Bahraini rap track ‘FA9LA’.
- Improvised Brilliance: Co-star Danish Pandor revealed that Akshaye’s brief, magnetic dance steps, where he joins the traditional routine of his men, were entirely unscripted and improvised on the spot. This spontaneous move perfectly captured the unpredictable charisma of Rehman Dakait.
- A Cinematic Vibe: Dressed in a sleek black suit, Khanna’s composed yet potent entry sequence, coupled with the pulsating Khaleeji hip-hop beats, created an instant cinematic vibe, earning comparisons to iconic villain entries like Bobby Deol’s ‘Jamal Kudu’ from Animal. It wasn’t just a dance; it was a perfect encapsulation of his character’s magnetic, terrifying personality, immediately marking him as a force to be reckoned with. The masterful presentation by director Aditya Dhar is being lauded for showcasing the actor in his “best way till date.”
Audience Verdict: “The Year of Akshaye Khanna”
The fan reactions flooding social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit are unified: Akshaye Khanna is the soul of Dhurandhar, and 2025 belongs to him.
Key Fan Reactions and Quotes:
Aura and Command: The most frequent praise revolved around his unmatched screen presence.
The New “Lord” of the Internet: Fans immediately compared his viral entry scene to the celebrated ‘Jamal Kudu’ scene from Animal, declaring him the new obsession.
- “Move over Lord Bobby, we have a new Lord in town: Lord Akshaye Khanna. His performance is nothing short of legendary.”
- “Had Gone To Theatre as Dhurandhar Fan And Came Out As Akshaye Khanna’s Fan. The Absolute GOAT.”
- “The FA9LA moment is the new Jamal Kudu. I am definitely going to watch Dhurandhar again just for this amazing song and Akshaye Khanna’s swagger.”
The Quiet Comeback: Fans celebrated his selective approach to work, which makes his appearances feel like an event.
- “No social media. No PR machinery. Disappears for years. Returns with two films in 2025. Effortlessly dominates the screen and steals the show. Pure talent.”
- “Can we just declare 2025 the year of Akshaye Khanna sir. Incredible in Chhaava and then pushed the envelope further in #Dhurandhar.”
Celebrity Endorsement: Even industry peers joined the praise, with filmmaker Farah Khan posting a fan edit and stating, “Akshaye Khanna truly deserves an Oscar.”
A Legacy of Versatility: Khanna’s Earlier Best Performances
Akshaye Khanna’s resurgence in Dhurandhar is a powerful reminder of a career built on versatility and choosing challenging roles over chasing the limelight. For decades, he has quietly delivered performances that are now considered milestones of Hindi cinema.
| Film Title | Year | Role Type | Why it was a Best Performance |
| Dil Chahta Hai | 2001 | Romantic/Supporting | As Siddharth ‘Sid’ Sinha, he brought remarkable sensitivity and depth to a character—a younger man who falls in love with an older woman—that was ahead of its time. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for this nuanced portrayal. |
| Section 375 | 2019 | Courtroom Drama | Playing the sharp, morally ambiguous defense lawyer Tarun Saluja, Khanna delivered a tightly controlled, dialogue-heavy performance that was lauded for its subtlety and intellectual grit. It is widely considered one of his finest post-comeback roles. |
| Border | 1997 | War Drama/Debut | His portrayal of the real-life soldier Dharamvir Singh Bhan was both critically and commercially acclaimed, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. His restrained intensity in the war drama was highly praised. |
| Humraaz | 2002 | Thriller/Negative | He excelled in the role of Karan, a suave, manipulative, and grey-shaded antagonist, showcasing his ability to portray complex villainy long before Dhurandhar. |
Akshaye Khanna’s ability to seamlessly transition from the vulnerability of a lover in Dil Chahta Hai to the chilling intensity of a villain like Rehman Dakait or Aurangzeb (in Chhaava earlier in 2025) is why he remains a critic’s favourite. His impactful performance in Dhurandhar Part 1 is not a sudden rise, but the culmination of a career dedicated to the craft, proving that in Bollywood, pure talent is enough to steal the show.
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