Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel has recently made headlines with her candid and powerful social media posts, showering praise on her colleague Akshaye Khanna for his stellar performance in the blockbuster film 'Dhurandhar'. However, her admiration comes with a sharp observation about the industry's changing tides.
A Social Media Call-Out Amidst Praise
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Ameesha Patel expressed her thoughts on the sudden surge of admiration for Akshaye Khanna. While she has consistently applauded his impactful role as the notorious gangster Rehman Dakait, she pointedly called out those who have only now "fallen in love" with the actor's talent. In her post, she emphasized that true success comes from performance, not public relations.
She wrote a note praising his acting prowess, suggesting that talking about Akshaye Khanna is a sure way to trend on social media, and casting him is a recipe for a film's success. She credited 'Brand Akshaye' for finally opening the eyes of those who overlooked his talent for years, concluding with pride for how his performances have made a resounding impact.
A Nostalgic Throwback and Heartfelt Tribute
Further extending her support, Ameesha Patel shared a nostalgic throwback picture with Akshaye Khanna on her Instagram. Alongside the photo, she penned a heartfelt message highlighting his humility. She expressed that she doesn't believe 'Akshu' (her fond name for him) even realizes how he has "blown the nation" with his performances this year, attributing it to his unaffected and humble nature.
'Dhurandhar': A Critical and Commercial Triumph
Akshaye Khanna's performance in 'Dhurandhar', released on December 5, has been met with widespread acclaim from critics, colleagues, and audiences alike. The film, which is set against the backdrop of real events like the Kandahar hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, follows secret intelligence missions during periods of intense global tension.
The narrative is primarily set in Karachi's Lyari area, a region known for violent gang wars. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh as undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazari, R. Madhavan as spymaster Ajay Sanyal, Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam, and Arjun Rampal as ISI Major Iqbal, a character inspired by terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri.
The praise for Khanna's work has been echoed across the industry. Actor Adivi Sesh took to X to share his admiration, calling Khanna's performance his "favourite" and praising the film's extraordinary music, international cinematography, and overall craft. This sentiment reflects the broader consensus that has solidified 'Dhurandhar' as a memorable cinematic experience and Akshaye Khanna's role as a career-defining moment.
