Mumbai, India | January 5, 2026
Akshaye Khanna’s return to the big screen has become one of the most talked-about developments in Bollywood, with his performance in Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller Dhurandhar earning widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics.
Portraying the Karachi-based gangster Rehman Dakait, Khanna has drawn praise for his commanding screen presence, understated menace, and distinctive style. Social media conversations have repeatedly described the role as a career resurgence, with viewers highlighting his swag, dialogue delivery, and visual transformation.
Viral Moments and Audience Reaction
A dance sequence featuring Akshaye Khanna, popularly referred to online as “FA9LA,” along with his striking look in the film, has gone viral across platforms. Clips and stills from the sequence continue to trend, contributing to sustained buzz around the character weeks after release.
Rahul Khanna Reacts to the Success
Akshaye Khanna’s brother, actor Rahul Khanna, has also reacted to the overwhelming response. According to reports dated January 4–5, 2026, Rahul revealed that he has not yet watched Dhurandhar in theaters, despite its massive success.
Explaining his decision, Rahul shared in an interview that he wishes to watch the film alongside Akshaye, and is waiting for a personal screening arranged by his brother. He added that Akshaye “looks good in everything he wears,” expressing confidence that he must be “looking fantastic” in the film as well.
‘Dhurandhar’ Box Office Records (As of January 2026)
The film has delivered historic numbers at the box office, rewriting multiple records:
Worldwide gross: Over ₹1,200 crore
India gross: Crossed ₹800 crore, becoming the first original Hindi film to reach this milestone
Ranking: Entered India’s top five highest-grossing films, surpassing titles such as Jawan and Pathaan
The sustained momentum has positioned Dhurandhar as one of the most commercially successful Indian films in recent years.
What’s Next for Akshaye Khanna
Although Rehman Dakait’s arc concludes in Dhurandhar, industry discussions suggest that Akshaye Khanna may appear in flashback sequences in Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026 (Eid).
In addition, Khanna is set to reprise IG Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 3 and will also appear in the Telugu film Mahakali, where he reportedly plays Asurguru Shukracharya.
