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Akshaye Khanna Nearly Rejected Villain Role in Dhurandhar
Akshaye Khanna played Rehman Dakait, a villain in Dhurandhar.
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra said several major stars had rejected the role.
Khanna first wondered why he should play a villain.
After hearing the story, he liked it and agreed to join the film that day.
Chhabra said Khanna made the character his own.
He also praised director Aditya Dhar’s script and confidence.
Ranveer Singh played the main character and accepted that Khanna’s role would receive major attention.
Dhurandhar was released in two parts.
The two films reportedly made Rs 3,120.74 crore worldwide.
Mukesh Chhabra said two or three major stars rejected the role of Rehman Dakait before Akshaye Khanna accepted it.
Khanna initially questioned why he should play a villain but agreed after hearing Aditya Dhar’s story for five minutes.
Chhabra praised Khanna for adding his own touch to Dhar’s writing and said the role suited him.
Chhabra said Ranveer Singh accepted a supporting position behind the antagonist and trusted the film’s direction.
Dhurandhar’s two parts reportedly earned a combined Rs 3,120.74 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.
- Who
- Akshaye Khanna, casting director Mukesh Chhabra, director Aditya Dhar and actor Ranveer Singh are central to the account.
- What
- Mukesh Chhabra revealed that Akshaye Khanna nearly rejected the villain role of Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar.
- Where
- The films were released in theatres; Chhabra discussed the casting during a televised interview.
- When
- The revelation was shared during a recent episode of Shekhar Suman’s show Shekhar Tonite; the first Dhurandhar film was released in December 2025 and the second in March 2026.
- Why
- Khanna initially questioned playing a villain but accepted after hearing the story and script.
Key facts
- Role
- Akshaye Khanna played Rehman Dakait, the antagonist in Dhurandhar.
- Earlier rejections
- Mukesh Chhabra said two or three major stars had previously rejected the role.
- Director
- Dhurandhar was directed by Aditya Dhar.
- Lead cast
- The two-part film stars Ranveer Singh alongside Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun.
- Release schedule
- The first part was released in December 2025 and the second part in March 2026.
- Reported worldwide earnings
- Sacnilk reported combined worldwide earnings of Rs 3,120.74 crore for the two films.
Quotes
Mukesh Chhabra
Casting director who discussed Dhurandhar’s casting on Shekhar Suman’s show.
“Hats off to Ranveer. If you tell a young hero today that you just have to stand and walk behind, he wouldn’t do it. Ranveer knew what was going to happen in the second half. He just surrendered in this film, and you have the result in front of you today.”
indianexpress.com
“When I told the story to Akshaye bhai, he said, ‘Paagal hogaya hai kya tu? Villain kyu karunga mai (Are you mad? Why would I play the villain?). After listening to the story for five minutes, he said fantastic and said yes the same day.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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