In the world of Bollywood, where stardom often overshadows personal identity, actor Akshaye Khanna recently shared a poignant reflection on the loss that reshaped his perspective. The passing of his father, the legendary actor Vinod Khanna, in 2017, offered a moment of profound human truth, stripping away the layers of fame.
A Son's Personal Grief, Not a Fan's Adulation
In a heartfelt throwback interview, Akshaye Khanna spoke not from the pedestal of a celebrity, but from the vulnerable place of a son grappling with an irreplaceable void. Vinod Khanna, an icon to millions, passed away on April 27, 2017. For Akshaye, discussing his father publicly remained an immense challenge in the immediate aftermath.
Visibly emotional during his conversation with IANS, Akshaye revealed a fundamental truth about their relationship. "You know… now that he is not here with us anymore, I started to think about him from that perspective (as a star) because I have never looked at him as an actor," he confessed. To him, Vinod Khanna was never the magnetic screen hero; he was simply "my dad."
The actor admitted that the realization of his father's monumental public stature only dawned upon him after the personal loss. He expressed a need for time before he could comfortably revisit shared memories, highlighting the raw and private nature of his grief.
Carving a Unique Path in a Storied Legacy
While bearing the weight of the Khanna name alongside his brother Rahul and half-sisters Sakshi and Shraddha, Akshaye Khanna has meticulously built a career defined by his own choices. Eschewing the typical trappings of Bollywood fame, he avoids paparazzi and glittering social circuits, preferring to let his performances do the talking.
His filmography stands as a testament to his versatility and credibility. From the sensitive portrayal in Dil Chahta Hai to the intense patriotism in Border, and the cunning characters in Humraaz and Race, Akshaye has forged a distinct niche, respected more for his craft than for conventional star power.
Commanding the Screen in Blockbuster 'Dhurandhar'
Today, Akshaye Khanna is capturing widespread attention for his powerful role in Aditya Dhar's ambitious spy thriller, Dhurandhar. Portraying the menacing antagonist Rehman Dakait, his performance has become a major talking point for the film.
Social media platforms have been set ablaze by his dramatic entry sequence, powerfully choreographed to the Bahraini rap track FA9LA. The scene has been praised for its raw, fearless, and cool vibe. Adding to its authenticity, reports suggest the sequence was largely improvised by the actor. The film's makers later amplified the buzz by releasing the official clip on X (formerly Twitter).
Dhurandhar boasts a formidable ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. Ranveer Singh plays Hamza Ali Mazari, an undercover Indian spy who infiltrates Akshaye's character's gang.
The film is a cinematic behemoth in scale and runtime. Made on a reported budget of Rs 275 crore, the two-part thriller has a combined runtime of 214 minutes, making it one of the longest Indian films ever produced. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has already collected an impressive Rs 400.35 crore at the Indian box office.
While critical reviews have been mixed, audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, driven by the film's gripping narrative and large-scale action sequences. The anticipation for the story's continuation is high, with the much-awaited second part slated for release on March 19, 2026.
