Dhurandhar Actor Feels Ranveer Singh Deserves More Praise Than Akshaye Khanna: ‘Deliberately Underplayed His Role’

The box office success of Dhurandhar, featuring the stellar performances of Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, has captured audiences’ attention since its release on December 5. The film’s global gross has already surpassed ₹1186 crore, marking it as one of the most successful Indian films of recent years. Yet, in the midst of its widespread acclaim, one actor is speaking out on why he believes Ranveer Singh deserves more recognition for his nuanced portrayal of a spy in the film.

Naveen Kaushik Speaks Out on Ranveer Singh’s Performance

Actor Naveen Kaushik, who played the role of Donga in Dhurandhar, recently shared his thoughts about the performances of his co-stars, particularly Ranveer Singh, during an interview with Siddharth Kannan for his YouTube channel.According to Kaushik, while Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait has created an iconic character, he feels that Ranveer’s performance, especially in terms of restraint and selflessness, deserves equal if not more recognition. “Akshaye sir has undoubtedly created an iconic character that will be remembered for years,” Kaushik began, adding, “But what Ranveer has done as an actor — the tiny nuances, his voice modulation — for someone who is so energetic in real life to suppress all of that and play the complete opposite, it’s extremely difficult.”

Kaushik pointed out a specific moment in the movie’s famous “FA9LA” song, where everyone in the scene is dancing, except Ranveer. “To restrain yourself in a moment like that is incredibly hard. But people didn’t notice it because of Akshaye sir’s commanding aura,” Kaushik explained. He further emphasized how Ranveer “deliberately underplayed” his role to let others shine, avoiding any attempt to seek attention or steal the spotlight.

In Kaushik’s words, “Ranveer stayed true to his character and allowed someone else to shine.” In a film where Akshaye’s commanding presence is hard to overlook, Ranveer’s ability to suppress his natural exuberance to fit his role is one of the many nuances that add depth to his performance.

The Unlikely Role of Rehman Dakait: Akshaye Khanna’s Reluctant Comeback

While Ranveer’s restraint has sparked conversations, Dhurandhar also marks a pivotal moment in Akshaye Khanna’s career, which many have dubbed as a “comeback.” However, a fascinating behind-the-scenes story has emerged about how Khanna was initially hesitant to take on the role of Rehman Dakait.

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra recently shared that Akshaye was initially reluctant to sign on for the role. “He told me I was going crazy. I said, Akshaye paaji will do it,” Chhabra recalled. Despite his reservations, Chhabra was able to convince Khanna, who ultimately took on the role. His portrayal of the menacing Rehman Dakait has since earned him accolades, with fans calling it one of his best performances in recent years.

Rakesh Bedi Reflects on the Phenomenal Success of Dhurandhar

As the film continues to break records, veteran actor Rakesh Bedi, who played Jameel Jamali in Dhurandhar, shared his surprise and gratitude for the overwhelming response his character has received. From messages pouring in from fans across the world, Bedi admitted that he never imagined the kind of success his performance would achieve.

Bedi also weighed in on Akshaye Khanna’s role, stating that while many consider Dhurandhar a “comeback” for the actor, he sees it differently. “Akshaye never truly went away,” he said, adding that Khanna has always been active in the industry, even though some of his projects might not have garnered as much attention.

But with Dhurandhar’s astronomical success, Khanna’s career has entered a new phase, with the film having already crossed ₹1186 crore globally. This includes a monumental achievement in India, where it became the first Hindi film to surpass ₹800 crore at the domestic box office.

A Historic Milestone

The box office success of Dhurandhar has not just been impressive, it’s also historic. With a staggering ₹800 crore earned domestically, Dhurandhar has set a new benchmark for Indian cinema, a feat previously unmatched by any Hindi film. The only other Indian film to achieve similar success in India is Pushpa 2: The Rule, which grossed ₹812.14 crore from its Hindi version.In comparison, films like Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan and Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava grossed ₹640 crore and ₹600 crore, respectively. The sheer scale of Dhurandhar’s success has set new expectations for future films, while also proving that such success is rare, unpredictable, and impossible to replicate at will.

A One-in-a-Lifetime Success

Rakesh Bedi reflects on how such monumental success cannot be planned. “These waves of success are rare,” he says. “Not every film can be a massive box office hit. Some wait their entire careers for such a phase, and many never experience it at all.” For Bedi, the success of Dhurandhar is both a career milestone and a reminder that iconic successes in cinema cannot be defined or measured by formulas.

As Dhurandhar continues to create history, fans, critics, and actors alike are praising the performances, with some recognizing Ranveer Singh’s remarkable ability to underplay his role and allow others to shine. The film’s achievements are also a testament to the talent, commitment, and selflessness of its entire cast, including Akshaye Khanna, Rakesh Bedi, and Naveen Kaushik, all of whom brought their unique strengths to the film.