The explosive release of director Aditya Dhar's action-packed film Dhurandhar has captivated audiences nationwide, with a significant portion of the praise being showered upon the magnetic performance of Akshaye Khanna. Portraying the formidable crime lord Rehman Dakait, Khanna has set social media ablaze, with his powerful screen presence and electrifying dance in the track 'FA9LA' becoming viral sensations.
The 'Baap' of Social Media: Akshaye Khanna's Dominance
In an exclusive revelation to SCREEN, renowned casting director Mukesh Chhabra opened up about the process behind assembling the film's cast and shared insightful anecdotes about the actors. Speaking about the internet frenzy surrounding Akshaye Khanna, Chhabra exclaimed, "He is baap!" He elaborated that since the film's debut, social media platforms have been dominated by discussions about Khanna's performance. "Wherever you go, be it Facebook, Instagram, or X, all you see is him on your timeline. People are only talking about his entry and the way he has performed overall," Chhabra stated, adding that the intensely focused actor had no prior inkling his role would become such a massive talking point.
A Man of His Word: The Simple Casting Process
Delving into the specifics of how Akshaye Khanna came on board, Mukesh Chhabra painted a picture of a refreshingly straightforward and professional interaction. After shortlisting several names for the pivotal role of Rehman Dakait, the team zeroed in on Khanna. "He came for the narration, and he came alone, that was the beautiful part," Chhabra recalled, highlighting the actor's lack of a large entourage. The casting director revealed that immediately after the narration concluded, Khanna looked at him and said, "Loved it, maza aa gaya yaar."
Khanna's commitment was further demonstrated by his simple follow-up: "Aaj main padh leta hoon raat mein jaakar phir." Chhabra was quick to praise this trait, noting, "He is not one of those guys who says 'aaj padh leta hoon' and then ghosts you. He is a man of his word. That's the best part about him, that he takes every single decision on his own." This incident underscores Akshaye Khanna's reputation for being a decisive and reliable professional in an industry known for its uncertainties.
Rakesh Bedi's Triumphant Reinvention
Another casting masterstroke that has garnered widespread acclaim is veteran actor Rakesh Bedi's portrayal of the politician Jameel Jamali. Chhabra shared that Bedi's performance has been so impactful that numerous producers, directors, and fellow actors have been requesting his contact details to congratulate him and discuss potential collaborations. "I think he completely reinvented himself in this film," Chhabra observed, particularly praising the actor's improvisational skills.
According to the casting director, the humor Bedi brought to the character was his own creative addition, not originally present in the script. "He actually added his own humor to the character; it was never in the script. I think he spoke to Aditya and said, 'I want to add another layer to this,'" Chhabra explained. He credited both Bedi's talent and director Aditya Dhar's collaborative nature for this successful improvisation, stating that Dhar fosters an open environment where actors can freely express their ideas.
Recalling the initial offer, Chhabra said he simply told Rakesh Bedi it was a character unlike any he had done before. Bedi's immediate and trusting response was, "Beta, main trust karta hoon tujhe, let's do it." This trust has clearly paid off, resulting in one of the most talked-about supporting performances in the film.
The revelations from Mukesh Chhabra, dated December 17, 2025, provide a fascinating glimpse into the human elements behind the casting of a major Bollywood hit. They highlight not just the star power of Akshaye Khanna, but the professional integrity and creative spark that actors like Khanna and Rakesh Bedi bring to the table, ultimately contributing to the sweeping success of Dhurandhar.
