Actor Akshaye Khanna has been everywhere on social media lately, thanks to his powerhouse performance in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. As audiences rediscover his quiet intensity and unpredictable charm, old interviews and event clips featuring the actor have started making the rounds again.
One such video that’s now trending shows Shah Rukh Khan playfully — yet insightfully — describing Akshaye’s unique personality during the promotions of Ittefaq, where both shared the stage with Sonakshi Sinha, Sidharth Malhotra, and Karan Johar.
The Throwback Moment
During the Ittefaq promotions, Karan Johar was hosting the event since his Dharma Productions had co-produced the film alongside Shah Rukh’s Red Chillies Entertainment and B.R. Studios. Karan, known for his light-hearted banter, joked about Akshaye’s eccentric energy, saying, “You have a really scary tone, Akshaye—you don’t have a tone at all.”
SRK talking about Akshaye Khanna
byu/Acrobatic_Neck_5866 inBollyBlindsNGossip
Laughing, he added, “Why are you like this?” as he recalled how Akshaye tried to skip out on promotions to maintain his “sleeping pattern.”
Shah Rukh Khan, standing nearby, chimed in with his trademark wit but his words carried genuine admiration too. “He’s always a little off beat. He’s got a different beat that he dances to, and I find that interesting,” SRK said. “He comes once in a while and creates something unfathomable. I really, really appreciate you as an actor. Having said that, I can also ask you, why the hell are you like this?”
The audience burst into laughter, but it was clear from SRK’s tone that his respect for Akshaye’s craft ran deep.
The Film That Brought Them Together
Ittefaq, a taut murder mystery released in 2017, featured Sidharth and Sonakshi as the prime suspects of a double murder. Akshaye Khanna played the investigating officer — sharp, composed, and morally ambiguous — a role that instantly reminded fans of his effortless ability to anchor complex stories.
Also Read: ‘Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are not superstars', says Abhinav Kashyap
The Akshaye Khanna Craze Returns
Fast-forward to 2025, and that same understated brilliance has reignited national attention with Dhurandhar. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt. Akshaye’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait — a man both terrifying and magnetic — has become one of the film’s biggest talking points.
Also Read: When Akshaye Khanna said he is not marriage material, "I enjoy being alone, I don't see myself..."
Social media is now flooded with praise for his restraint, intensity, and the sense of mystery that he brings to the screen — qualities that make SRK’s old comment about him being “off beat” feel more prophetic than playful.
The makers of Dhurandhar have already announced a sequel, scheduled for March 19, 2026. And if the current wave of admiration is anything to go by, Akshaye Khanna’s so-called “strangeness” may just be his greatest strength.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
