Dhurandhar star Akshaye Khanna had a 'weird hold’ on women, claims co-star: ‘What’s so special about him?’

Akshaye Khanna has once again captured public attention, emerging as one of the most talked-about performers of the moment after delivering a commanding performance as the menacing Rehman Baloch in the mega-hit Dhurandhar. His layered portrayal of the antagonist has earned widespread acclaim, prompting audiences to revisit several of his past media appearances, many of which are now resurfacing across social platforms.

Among the clips gaining renewed traction is an old promotional interview conducted during the release of the film Mom, where Khanna appeared alongside the late Sridevi and actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The conversation, aired on NDTV, took a light-hearted turn when Nawazuddin unexpectedly shared a personal anecdote from his pre-marriage days, offering a humorous glimpse into his struggles with romance.

During the interaction, Nawazuddin candidly spoke about repeatedly facing disappointment while trying to form connections, explaining that his efforts were often unsuccessful for a rather unexpected reason. According to him, the women he encountered seemed entirely captivated by Akshaye Khanna, leaving little room for anyone else. As the story unfolded, Khanna remained characteristically reserved, quietly listening while Sridevi and the audience reacted with laughter.


Nawazuddin went on to explain that his curiosity eventually led him to ask these women about their preferences. The responses, he revealed, frequently pointed in the same direction, with many expressing admiration for Khanna. Whether it was his gentle smile, expressive eyes, or understated charm, different women highlighted different qualities, all contributing to his immense appeal. Nawazuddin described Khanna as having an almost inexplicable magnetism and a massive following among female admirers.

“I used to ask them, ‘What’s so special about him?’ Someone used to talk about his smile, or someone would start talking about his eyes. He had a weird hold on women, and he had a big fan following," stated Siddiqui.

At this point, Khanna reacted with mild surprise, prompting Nawazuddin to clarify that the admiration had not faded with time. He suggested that Khanna’s continued popularity remained intact, adding that his relatively selective approach to choosing projects only made fans wish to see him on screen more often.

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar continues to dominate the box office. According to figures reported by Sacnilk, the film has amassed earnings exceeding Rs 752 crore within India alone, further cementing its status as a commercial juggernaut and reinforcing Akshaye Khanna’s powerful resurgence in mainstream cinema.