Akshaye Khanna finds himself at a fascinating career crossroads, experiencing both immense acclaim and public scrutiny simultaneously. The actor is currently in the spotlight for two starkly contrasting reasons, painting a complex picture of his professional journey.
The Dual Spotlight: Acclaim and Controversy
On one hand, Akshaye Khanna's performance as Rehman Dakait in Aditya Dhar's blockbuster "Dhurandhar" has been met with widespread critical and audience praise. The film itself has achieved a monumental feat, setting the box office on fire with a staggering total collection of over Rs 700 crore in India. This mammoth success has cemented "Dhurandhar" as the biggest Hindi film of all time domestically. It has also shattered records internationally, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film in North America, surpassing the previous record held by Shah Rukh Khan's "Pathaan".
Conversely, the actor is also making headlines for his controversial exit from the much-anticipated sequel, "Drishyam 3". This move has cast him in a different, more contentious light within industry circles and among fans, creating a narrative of professional polar opposites.
A Legacy of Fearlessness: Remembering Vinod Khanna
Amid this personal and professional whirlwind, an old video interview of Akshaye Khanna has resurfaced, offering a poignant glimpse into his personal values and the legacy of his late father, veteran actor Vinod Khanna. The clip is from the time he was promoting his film "Gandhi, My Father", a project backed by Anil Kapoor where Akshaye portrayed Mahatma Gandhi's son, Harilal Gandhi.
In his conversation with Aaj Tak, Akshaye revealed the one quality of his father he respected the most: his fearless and principled approach to life. "I respect him for the way he lived his life, he lived on his own terms and there were very few people who could do that to the extent he went," Akshaye said. He elaborated with a powerful example, stating, "He was not scared of anything, take the example of the earthquake that took place in Gujarat in 2000s. He told us he's going there for a few days and if he can do some work there. He stayed on for 4 months and put up the largest non-government camp there."
From Launchpad to Comeback: The Akshaye Khanna Journey
Akshaye Khanna was launched in Bollywood by his father with the 1997 film "Himalay Putra", directed by Pankaj Parashar. However, it was his role in J.P. Dutta's 1997 war epic "Border" that transformed him into an overnight sensation. The actor is now set to reprise his iconic role in the upcoming sequel, "Border 2", which is slated for a Republic Day weekend release.
This journey from a star kid launch to an acclaimed performer facing both a career zenith with "Dhurandhar" and a public relations challenge with "Drishyam 3" defines the current chapter of his career. The resurgence of his heartfelt words about his father's altruism and fearlessness adds a deeply human layer to the ongoing discourse around the actor, reminding the public of the principles that guide him beyond the glitz of the box office.
