Priyadarshan, Laxman Utekar and industry experts praise Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar role: People have always loved him...

Akshaye Khanna in Dhurandhar

Akshaye Khanna is once again capturing hearts with his brilliant performance in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. Known for his subtle, layered acting, Akshaye has turned heads as the film’s antagonist, while a few cheeky moments, including a ‘Bobby Deol-style’ Jamal Kodu scene with the hit Arabic track FA9LA, have left fans both surprised and delighted.

It’s been a remarkable year for both Akshaye and Bobby Deol, each proving that talent and timing are everything in Bollywood. Akshaye received widespread praise for his work in Chhaava and now Dhurandhar, while Bobby, with his performance in The Bads of Bollywood, has won back the adoration of his long-time fans, earning the playful title of ‘Lord Bobby’.

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, who has worked with Akshaye on multiple projects, couldn’t help but laud the actor’s enduring appeal during a chat with Hindustan Times. “Look at Akshaye’s performance even in Drishyam 2. It’s not just about Gen Z; people have always loved him," he said, highlighting the actor’s ability to connect with audiences across generations.

Priyadarshan added thoughtfully, “Earlier, PR and the media made an actor, but today people have their own opinions. You cannot close your eyes to that. People talking about him today means he was always a genuinely favourite artiste. Award shows and all ignored him, but I count him as one of the top five actors in the last 20 years."

As quoted by News18, director Laxman Utekar, who cast Akshaye as Aurangzeb in Chhaava, shared a similar admiration.

“I always had Akshaye Khanna only in mind as Aurangzeb in Chhaava. The kind of performer he is, his physique… when we did his look test, it was magical," he said.

He added, “The recognition he is getting now with Dhurandhar… he deserves more success than Chhaava and Dhurandhar."

Also Read: Akshaye Khanna stole the show in Dhurandhar; 8 life lessons Gen z can steal from his quiet enigma

Producer Ramesh Taurani also celebrated Bobby Deol’s return to the spotlight. “Bobby was a star even before his debut film… I can’t describe the craze people had for him even before he launched. He’s not only good-looking but now a solid actor too," Taurani said, capturing the excitement around the actor’s resurgence.

Trade analyst Komal Nahta told Hindustan Times and emphasised the importance of the right role in shaping a career comeback. “It’s all about getting that right role. Bobby had a small role in Animal, but it created a tremendous impact. Akshaye should keep signing more films and not retreat after Chhaava and now Dhurandhar," she observed.