When Akshaye Khanna opened up on his failed solo hero films: ‘I have seen some success but…’

Akshaye Khanna’s professional journey has witnessed a striking revival, largely driven by the phenomenal box-office run of Dhurandhar, the Ranveer Singh-led film that is on the brink of crossing the ₹700 crore mark in India. Alongside the film’s success, a short video of Khanna dancing has spread rapidly across social media platforms, unexpectedly transforming him into a viral favourite and introducing his charisma to a newer generation of viewers.

As his popularity surges once again, several of his earlier interviews have resurfaced online, drawing renewed attention to his perspective on fame and success. One such interaction from 2007 has particularly stood out, where the Hungama actor was questioned about why his solo-hero projects had not achieved the same level of commercial impact as those headlined by Hrithik Roshan. The conversation took place shortly before the release of his film Gandhi, My Father and offered insight into Khanna’s measured understanding of stardom.

During the discussion, Khanna reflected on the idea of success being narrowly defined by comparisons with a handful of industry giants. He pointed out that while he had experienced recognition and professional achievements as a leading actor, the expectation that only those who reach the stature of figures like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, or Salman Khan qualify as successful seemed unreasonable. He highlighted how such thinking ignores the many forms achievement can take within a competitive industry.


“I have gotten much success as a solo hero, I have seen some success, but not as much.." he said.

To illustrate his argument, Khanna drew an analogy from the business world, suggesting that measuring every entrepreneur against icons like JRD Tata or Dhirubhai Ambani would unfairly dismiss countless accomplished individuals. He expressed this viewpoint with a sense of humour, appearing more amused than defensive. The interviewer then extended the comparison further, mentioning actors such as Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, and Hrithik Roshan, who were actively leading multiple solo-driven films and enjoying strong commercial outcomes.

At this point, Khanna responded with deliberate irony, half-conceding the argument by remarking that everyone else seemed ahead while he lagged behind. However, the questioning continued, pressing him on whether he felt insecure about not matching their trajectory. In response, Khanna calmly stated that he was committed to working harder and aspiring to reach a similar level of stardom in the future, demonstrating quiet ambition rather than frustration.