Actor Akshaye Khanna has once again captured the internet’s attention after his powerful performance as Rehman Dakait in Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster film Dhurandhar. While the film created massive buzz at the box office, fans also began revisiting Akshaye’s older films and interviews, rediscovering the actor’s unique screen presence and memorable performances over the years.
As conversations around Akshaye Khanna grew online, filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan shared some surprising stories about her experience working with him. In a recent conversation with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast, Farah spoke candidly about Akshaye’s personality during the 1990s, why she avoided working with him for a while, and how he later changed completely.
Her stories offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of Bollywood’s most talented yet mysterious actors.
Akshaye Khanna’s Comeback Moment With Dhurandhar
When Dhurandhar released in theatres last December, it quickly became one of the biggest box office successes of the year. The film not only impressed audiences with its gripping storyline but also earned widespread praise for the performances of its cast.
Among them, Akshaye Khanna stood out for his intense portrayal of the character Rehman Dakait. His performance added depth and tension to the story, and many viewers described it as one of the highlights of the film.
Despite the overwhelming praise, Akshaye stayed away from the spotlight as usual. Known for living a quiet and private life, the actor reportedly returned to his home in Alibaug after the film’s release.
However, the internet did not forget him. Fans started revisiting his past work, including his comedic role in the 2010 film Tees Maar Khan directed by Farah Khan and starring Akshay Kumar.
This renewed interest in Akshaye’s career eventually led to Farah sharing some interesting stories from their professional journey together.
Farah Khan Recalls Akshaye Khanna’s Difficult Phase in the 1990s
During the podcast conversation, Farah spoke openly about her early experiences working with Akshaye Khanna.
According to her, the actor was very different during the early years of his career in the 1990s.
Farah explained that she worked with him in a couple of films during that period, but the experience was not very pleasant. She described Akshaye as introverted and often irritable while working on set.
She said that his behaviour sometimes made the working environment uncomfortable for others.
Farah recalled that he would occasionally become frustrated with scenes or dialogues and react strongly. In some situations, he would even throw scripts aside and question the lines written for him.
Because of these experiences, Farah admitted that she started avoiding projects that involved Akshaye.
Whenever she heard that he was part of a film, she would simply say that she did not have available dates.
It was her way of staying away from potential tension on set.
The Reason Behind His Irritability
Farah also spoke about what might have caused Akshaye’s frustration during that time.
According to her, the actor was dealing with hair loss at a very young age, which affected his confidence and mood.
Akshaye himself has spoken about this issue in the past. Losing hair early in his career reportedly made him self-conscious and irritated, which sometimes reflected in his behaviour.
Farah suggested that this personal struggle could have contributed to his short temper and difficult phase during those years.
Interestingly, she noted that if people watch many of his songs from that time, they might notice that he often wore a cap or hat in rain sequences.
She jokingly mentioned that even in the film Taal, he wore a cap in songs because of his hair concerns.
While it may seem like a small detail, it shows how personal insecurities can sometimes affect an actor’s experience in the industry.
The Turning Point During Dil Chahta Hai
According to Farah, a major change in Akshaye Khanna’s personality happened during the making of the film Dil Chahta Hai.
Farah worked on the film because it was directed by Farhan Akhtar, who is her cousin. Since it was Farhan’s first movie, she naturally wanted to be involved in the project.
This meant she had to work with Akshaye again.
However, when she met him on the sets of Dil Chahta Hai, she noticed a completely different side of him.
Farah said Akshaye had become calmer, more relaxed and easier to work with.
She jokingly suggested that he had finally accepted his hair loss and stopped worrying about it. That acceptance seemed to bring a sense of peace to his personality.
From that point onward, Farah felt he became much more chilled out and comfortable with himself.
The film itself went on to become a cult classic and remains one of Bollywood’s most loved coming-of-age movies.
Akshaye Khanna’s Hidden Talent as a Dancer
During the conversation, Farah also revealed something that many people may not know about Akshaye Khanna.
She described him as an excellent dancer.
According to Farah, if people watch the popular song Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe from Dil Chahta Hai carefully, they might notice that Akshaye actually dances better than his co-stars Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan in the sequence.
Coming from one of Bollywood’s most respected choreographers, that is quite a compliment.
Farah said Akshaye has natural rhythm and movement, which made him fun to work with in dance sequences.
Although he is not widely known for dance performances, those who worked with him closely clearly saw his talent.
How Their Relationship Is Today
Despite their rocky beginnings, Farah says she now shares a good relationship with Akshaye Khanna.
However, she described him as someone who prefers a quiet life rather than socialising or attending industry parties.
Farah said he is not the kind of person you casually hang out with or chill with regularly.
But they still keep in touch and occasionally speak.
She revealed that after watching Dhurandhar, she immediately called him to congratulate him on his performance.
Farah affectionately said she addressed him as “Akshu” while praising his work in the film.
She also mentioned that she has visited his house in Alibaug in the past.
A Shared Connection Through Family and Friends
Farah also spoke about her connection with Akshaye’s family.
She mentioned that Akshaye is partly Parsi, just like her, which creates a natural cultural bond between them.
She also shares a close friendship with his brother Rahul Khanna.
According to Farah, Rahul is part of her regular games group and they spend time together socially.
Through these personal connections, Farah remains connected to the Khanna family even though Akshaye himself prefers a more private lifestyle.
An Actor Who Truly Loves Acting
One of the things Farah admires most about Akshaye Khanna is his dedication to his craft.
She said he is not someone who is interested in glamour, publicity or unnecessary attention.
Instead, he is deeply focused on the work itself.
According to Farah, Akshaye genuinely enjoys the process of acting and performing on set.
For him, the excitement lies in exploring characters and delivering strong performances rather than chasing fame.
This passion for acting is perhaps the reason why audiences continue to appreciate his performances even when he takes long breaks between films.
A Nostalgic Tees Maar Khan Reference
During the conversation, Farah also playfully referenced one of Akshaye Khanna’s famous dialogues from the film Tees Maar Khan.
In the film, his character Aatish Kapoor delivers a humorous line about awards.
Recalling that moment, Farah joked that performances like Akshaye’s are exactly the kind that deserve Oscar-level recognition.
The lighthearted remark brought a nostalgic touch to the conversation and reminded fans of his comic brilliance in the film.
What’s Next for Akshaye Khanna
After the success of Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna is expected to return to theatres soon with its sequel titled Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
The film is already generating strong buzz, and fans are excited to see him reprise his role.
Given the impact he created in the first film, audiences are curious to see how his character’s story will continue in the sequel.
For many fans, Akshaye Khanna remains one of Bollywood’s most underrated yet powerful performers.
His ability to deliver intense drama, comedy and layered characters has helped him maintain a loyal fan base over the years.
Farah Khan’s candid stories about Akshaye Khanna reveal a side of the actor that most fans rarely get to hear about.
From his difficult phase in the 1990s to the calm and dedicated performer he eventually became, his journey reflects the personal challenges many actors face behind the scenes.
Despite their early struggles working together, Farah clearly respects his talent and commitment to acting.
And as Dhurandhar continues to bring him back into the spotlight, audiences are once again reminded why Akshaye Khanna remains one of the most fascinating actors in Bollywood.
