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

Akshaye Khanna is proof that you can succeed, even shine, by refusing to be a part of the rat race.

Gen Z has been known for many things; hyper-connected, hyper-aware, hyper-exhausted. They’re living in a world that’s louder, faster, and more demanding than ever. On the other side is Akshaye Khanna, a man who has made an entire career out of not doing what everyone else is doing. He’s proof that you can succeed, even shine, by refusing to be a part of the rat race.

Surprisingly (or maybe not), Akshaye Khannamight just be the unexpected role model Gen Z didn’t know they needed.

Here’s why.

You don’t need to be loud to be heard

In a world that rewards volume, Khanna wins by being the opposite, calm, measured, and unbothered by the need to constantly speak. His presence has weight precisely because he doesn’t overuse it. The message is clear, your voice matters more when you don’t drown it in noise. Say less, mean more.

Mystery is a power move

Oversharing is the social currency of our time, but Khanna shows the value of holding something back. His private, almost enigmatic persona keeps people curious. Understand that not everything needs to be content. A little ambiguity is attractive, grounding, and liberating.

You can opt out, and still be a winner

Khanna isn’t on social media. He doesn’t chase virality. He doesn’t update the world about his daily routine. Yet he trends when he wants to, and his work speaks for itself. The lesson here is, you can unplug without disappearing. Value comes from what you do, not what you flaunt on social media.

Reinvention doesn’t need a rebrand

Many people reinvent themselves through gimmicks and bold announcements, but Khanna, does it silently. He picks roles and projects that he knows suit him, and shines. Know that reinvention can be subtle. You don’t need to declare it, just do it.

Choose quality over chaos

Khanna’s filmography is selective. He chooses roles that interest him, not the ones that guarantee headlines. His performances tend to be precise, grounded, and intentionally crafted. Curate your life. Choose fewer things, but choose them well, whether it’s opportunities, friendships, or projects.

Stillness is strength

There’s a peaceful quality to the way Khanna carries himself, controlled, comfortable, unhurried. It’s a sharp contrast to the frantic energy that defines much of modern culture. Slow can be powerful. Stillness boosts confidence and creativity.

Rewrite your own rules

Bollywood is built on promotion cycles, public appearances, and overexposure. Khanna sidesteps all of it and still delivers impact. So, if the rules don’t work for you, rewrite them. Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

The coolest flex is being comfortable with yourself

Perhaps the most Gen Z-compatible lesson is to know that Khanna doesn’t try to be cool, current, or curated, and that’s exactly why he feels timeless. Self-assurance defeats trends. Nothing is more magnetic than someone comfortable in their own skin.