Snehashish roy
Hollywood-style throwback nostalgia met fresh-film fervour this week, as Ameesha Patel publicly lauded Akshaye Khanna’s latest work, calling him an “ego-less” actor who has “blown the nation” away. The praise comes at a time when Dhurandhar is earning widespread acclaim, and Khanna’s performance is becoming a major talking point across social media and reviews.
In her Instagram note accompanying a throwback picture of the two during their 2002 film promotion days, Patel wrote: “GREATNESS THEN n EVEN GREATER NOW!! That’s AKSHAY KHANNA (AKSHU as I fondly call him)!! Yet most unassuming n ego less!! … I don’t even think AKSHU realises he has BLOWN the NATION with his performances this year!! That’s AKSHU!! Humble n unaffected.”
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The admiration is far from empty hype. In Dhurandhar, Khanna plays the antagonist, a shadowy crime lord and politician, and his chilling presence, razor-sharp dialogue delivery and commanding screen presence have become so powerful that many viewers and critics believe he outshines even the film’s hero.
Emerging as perhaps the most talked-about comeback in Bollywood this year, Khanna’s performance is being hailed as decisive proof that he can dominate even in ensemble casts laden with heavyweights. The buzz is not just confined to fans: respected industry voices have chimed in. One filmmaker went so far as to suggest that Khanna “deserves an Oscar” for his role, a rare compliment in the Indian context.
What adds gravity to Patel’s praise is her long history with Khanna. The throwback photo dates back to their promotional days for the romantic thriller Humraaz, reminding audiences that the actor’s resurgence is not overnight but a long, evolutionary arc, from romantic hero to character actor to menacing villain.
In the larger context, Dhurandhar itself is making headlines. The action-spy thriller, directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, crossed the ₹150 crore mark within five days of release, a strong indicator that audiences are embracing its gritty tone, narrative ambition, and not least, Khanna’s intense performance.
Khanna’s resurgence is significant not only because it challenges the star-driven norms of commercial Bollywood, but also because it offers hope for the survival of craft-driven performances even in star-heavy blockbusters. His journey, marked by periods of invisibility, choice of niche roles and now commanding screen presence, is a testament to both persistence and transformation.
For Ameesha Patel, the public appreciation was more than just professional admiration — it was a heartfelt nod to Khanna’s consistency, humility and talent. For audiences, critics and industry watchers, this moment could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Hindi cinema, where depth of performance once again begins to matter, even in high-budget spectacles.
With the film roaring at the box office and acclaim mounting, all eyes are now on how long Khanna can sustain this new peak of his career, and whether this renewed journey will inspire other actors to go beyond comfort zones and star-centric scripts.