When Dhurandhar star Akshaye Khanna was beaten hard not once but twice!

Akshaye Khanna has emerged as one of the most talked-about performers of the moment, driven by the overwhelming response to his commanding turn in Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar. Audiences and critics alike have praised his chilling portrayal of antagonist Rehman Dakait, with many calling it one of the most convincing villainous performances in recent mainstream cinema. The appreciation surrounding his work has only intensified after behind-the-scenes accounts revealed the lengths he went to ensure realism on set.

During a conversation on the YouTube show Abhishek Pali Talks, actor Aditya Uppal, who played Omar Haider, a member of a Pakistani task force in the film, shared insights into Khanna’s uncompromising approach to performance. According to Aditya, Akshaye encouraged co-actors to abandon restraint during intense scenes and perform physical action with full force to preserve authenticity. Despite Akshaye’s seniority and stature, he insisted that realism take priority over comfort, especially in emotionally charged sequences.

Aditya explained that there was initial hesitation among the actors, largely due to respect for Akshaye’s experience. However, once the camera rolled, Khanna pushed them to fully inhabit their characters. He recounted that during a confrontation scene set inside a stationary van, the environment was tight and physically demanding, with crew members shaking the vehicle to simulate movement. Even then, Akshaye urged his co-stars to strike him convincingly rather than hold back. Aditya admitted that after being prompted repeatedly, he finally delivered the blow with full intensity, trusting Khanna’s insistence that realism mattered more than staged caution.


Further testimony to Akshaye’s dedication came from actor Saumya Tandon, who portrayed the wife of Rehman Baloch. She revealed that Khanna encouraged her to slap him genuinely during a crucial emotional sequence in which her character lashes out after the loss of their son. Taking to X, Saumya shared behind-the-scenes images from the set and reflected on the emotional weight of the scene. She described it as her introductory moment in the film and noted how deeply she connected with the layered emotions of rage, grief, and shared sorrow. She acknowledged that although she hoped the slap could be faked, Akshaye’s insistence on realism left no room for shortcuts. The scene, including her emotional breakdown, was completed in a single take.

Dhurandhar centers on the journey of Hamza, an Indian intelligence operative who penetrates deep into Pakistan to infiltrate Rehman Dakait’s criminal network. The narrative draws inspiration from real geopolitical flashpoints such as the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, offering a tense exploration of Indo-Pak conflict dynamics. Alongside Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, the film features Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi in significant roles. The sequel to Dhurandhar is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026.