When Akshaye Khanna revealed he would never work with Amitabh Bachchan and dad Vinod Khanna, said, "There are certain people whom you shouldn’t work with"

When Akshaye Khanna revealed he would never work with Amitabh Bachchan and dad Vinod Khanna, said, "There are certain people whom you shouldn’t work with"

Dhurandhar actor Akshaye Khanna once said he would never work with his father Vinod Khanna and legendary Amitabh Bachchan, the statement startled many. Coming from an actor known for his restraint and thoughtful public presence, the remark was not born out of rebellion or resentment. Instead, it revealed an unusually honest reflection on talent, screen presence, and personal insecurity.

When Akshaye Khanna once said he would never work with his father Vinod Khanna, the statement startled many. Coming from an actor known for his restraint and thoughtful public presence, the remark was not born out of rebellion or resentment. Instead, it revealed an unusually honest reflection on talent, screen presence, and personal insecurity.

Akshaye and Vinod Khanna shared screen space in the 1997 film Himalaya Putra, which marked Akshaye’s debut. Looking back, the actor later described the experience as deeply intimidating. In a 2008 interview with IANS, Akshaye admitted that acting opposite his father was overwhelming.

“There are certain people whom you shouldn’t work with. My dad is one of them. Amitabh Bachchan is another,” he said. “To stand in the same frame as them confidently is impossible. They’ve such an overpowering screen presence.”

Rather than diminishing his father, Akshaye’s words underlined Vinod Khanna’s aura. A towering star of the 1970s, Vinod Khanna was known for effortlessly dominating the screen. His charisma was such that even seasoned actors found it hard to match his presence, something Akshaye openly acknowledged.

“It’s very difficult to match my father on screen,” Akshaye continued. “It’s that quality – either you have it or you don’t have it. Very frankly, I don’t have it. I just don’t have that kind of presence.”

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He went on to explain that some actors have an intangible quality that draws the viewer’s attention regardless of dialogue or action. “There are some actors who just wash you away on screen. My dad is one of them,” he said.

Interestingly, Akshaye grouped Vinod Khanna with Amitabh Bachchan, another actor synonymous with towering screen authority. The comparison highlighted Akshaye’s belief that certain legends are simply impossible to share space with without being overshadowed.

Years later, in a separate interview in 2017, Akshaye was asked whether he would ever portray his father in a biopic. His response was just as candid. “Playing his father is not an option for me because I do not look like Vinod Khanna. I don’t look anywhere close to my father… Not an option,” he said.

Akshaye also spoke about the inherent risks of biopics, noting how difficult it is to portray someone who truly existed. “Biopics by nature, I suppose, as accurate as they can be, the better for an actor. It’s very challenging as well as risky,” he explained.

Vinod Khanna, who ruled Hindi cinema at his peak before famously leaving films to follow Osho, returned later with acclaimed performances in films like Dayavaan and Chandni. He passed away in 2017 after battling cancer, leaving behind a formidable legacy.