Has Dhurandhar star Akshaye Khanna increased his fees post film’s success? Film exhibitor reacts: ‘Whenever a star gets success, they should…’

Dhurandhar has emerged as a defining project in Akshaye Khanna’s film journey, giving fresh momentum to his career. The overwhelming response to the Aditya Dhar-directed film has reportedly led to a noticeable hike in the actor’s remuneration. While the success has elevated his standing in the industry, it has also triggered conversations about the timing and impact of such decisions.

Manoj Desai Reacts to Fee Hike Decision

Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Manoj Desai, Executive Director of G7 Multiplex, which includes iconic theatres like Gaiety Galaxy and Maratha Mandir, openly expressed his disagreement with Akshaye Khanna’s move. Desai shared that after the success of Dhurandhar, the actor raised his fees, a decision that allegedly cost him a role in Drishyam 3. According to Desai, actors should exercise restraint after achieving success, regardless of whether the recognition comes from a full-fledged role or even a brief appearance. He emphasized that staying grounded after a hit is crucial, while also acknowledging that the final call always rests with the actor.
"Whenever a star gets success—even if it’s from a three- or four-minute song—they should maintain a little calm afterward. That’s my personal thinking..." he said.

Akshaye Khanna’s Role in the Film

In Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna steps into the shoes of the antagonist, portraying the menacing gangster Rehman Dakait. His performance has been widely appreciated for its intensity and depth. The film is led by Ranveer Singh and features an ensemble cast that includes Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal, all playing significant roles that add weight to the narrative.

Box Office Milestones Achieved by Dhurandhar

As per a report by Koimoi, Dhurandhar has rewritten box office history since its release. In a major achievement, it has overtaken the Hindi-dubbed version of Pushpa 2 to claim the title of the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. The film continues to attract audiences, showing remarkable staying power in theatres.

Aditya Dhar’s Historic Box Office Feat

Currently, Dhurandhar has collected an extraordinary 836.15 crore net at the box office. When this figure is combined with the lifetime earnings of Uri: The Surgical Strike, Aditya Dhar’s total directorial net collection reaches an astonishing 1080.21 crore. This makes him the only Indian director to cross the 1000 crore net mark with just his first two films. With Dhurandhar 2 showing immense potential, Dhar could be on track to touch the 2000 crore net milestone with his first three movies, setting an unprecedented benchmark in Indian cinema.