While Dhurandhar continues its blockbuster run, one performance has captured the country’s imagination in particular — Akshaye Khanna’s fierce, unpredictable turn as Rehman Dakait. The veteran actor has received widespread praise, with social media overflowing with his commendations, and now, another familiar face joins the chorus: Ameesha Patel, who shares a long friendship and professional history with him.
Ameesha’s Heartfelt Tribute to an ‘Ego-Less’ Star
Ameesha posted a throwback photo of herself with Akshaye from the Humraaz promotion days in London, which spoke of their early-2000s era of Bollywood camaraderie. But her caption is what really resonated with fans.
“GREATNESS THEN n EVEN GREATER NOW!! That’s AKSHAYE KHANNA (AKSHU),” she wrote, calling him humble, unassuming and blissfully unaware of the storm he has created with his 2025 performances.
She added that despite all the applause, Akshaye remains “ego less” — a rare quality in an industry built on spotlight and stature.
“I never imagined he would be THIS successful as a villain” — Ameesha on the podcast
On Ranveer Allahbadia podcast, Ameesha spoke candidly about Akshaye’s reinvention in 2025, saying she never expected him to dominate the villain space so effortlessly.
According to her, Akshaye always had range, but the sheer impact he created as Rehman Dakait took even her by surprise. She said his screen presence was so powerful that:
“I was genuinely terrified seeing his smile in the movie.”
Fans know exactly what she’s referring to — that sinister, slow, unforgettable smile that appears right before his viral FA9LA dance sequence.
Her note is less of a compliment and more the celebration of a friend whose talent has finally received the national recognition it deserves.
A Career Reignited: Akshaye Khanna’s Stellar 2025
The resurgence of Akshaye this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. He started 2025 with Chhaava, in which he played Mughal emperor Aurangzeb — a role critically appreciated for restraint, intensity, and psychological depth. It went on to become an unlikely blockbuster, reaffirming his status as that actor who elevates every frame he is in.
Then came Dhurandhar — and with it, one of the most iconic villain entries Hindi cinema has seen in years.
The Dance that Broke the Internet
His role as Rehman Dakait, a Pakistani crime lord with magnetic swagger in Dhurandhar, had sent the internet into a viral frenzy. The impromptu dance that he did for FA9LA, an Arabic track, created a breakout moment that was shared across all platforms.
The energy, the stillness, the unpredictability — fans simply couldn’t get enough of how he stole the screen from the very second he appeared. The makers even released the clip officially, acknowledging its cultural impact.
Dhurandhar’s World and Akshaye’s Role in It
Set in the Lyari region of Pakistan, the film concerns an undercover Ranveer Singh infiltrating a terror network. Akshaye’s Rehman Dakait brings menace, charm, and unpredictability to this world — a character at once real and larger than life.
It also stars Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun, further enriching this espionage thriller by Aditya Dhar. The film has already grossed over ₹130 crore in India, entering Ranveer’s biggest commercial success stories.
Final Words
Ameesha Patel’s tribute captures what audiences have been feeling all year — 2025 belongs to Akshaye Khanna. He has given two radically different performances with Chhaava and Dhurandhar, both unforgettable in their own way.
