Dhurandhar Actor Rakesh Bedi Compares Akshaye Khanna To Shatrughan Sinha: Villains Loved More Than Heroes

Ranveer

Singh's spy thriller, Dhurandhar, is unstoppable at the box office. Despite Avatar: Fire and Ash 's theatrical release, the film has managed to keep the momentum alive. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller was released on December 5, 2025 and within three weeks of its release, it has earned over Rs 500 crore. The film also features Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Aditya, and Arjun Rampal. Amid all the buzz, actor Rakesh Bedi, who plays the sly Pakistani politician Jameel Jamali in the film, has opened up about his experience working alongside Akshaye Khanna, whose portrayal of Rehman Dakait has made fans fall in love with the star all over again.

Rakesh Bedi On Working With Akshaye Khanna

Speaking to Faridoon Shahryar, Rakesh reflected on Akshaye Khanna’s reserved nature on set. He said, "I am of the nature that I speak to everyone on set and crack jokes with everyone. Akshaye, however, is different. He would sit in the corner quietly and read his books or would be looking into his phone."Further, the actor added, "Whenever we sat together before the shot, we had very intellectual conversations. He asked me a lot about my theatre. I also asked him questions. So we had some good conversations, but when it comes to the scene, we rehearsed a lot. His character has a flamboyance, which is increased by that song (FA9LA). This is a lethal combination. When a villain becomes lovable, then he becomes more loved than the hero. For example, Shatrughan Sinha, when he was at the peak of his career, his entry was marked by cheers and claps in theatres despite him playing a villain in every film. He was a lovable villain."

Rakesh Bedi On Dhurandhar 2

Rakesh believes the intense anticipation around Dhurandhar 2 stems from how the first film deliberately withheld closure. "A woman told me that after watching Dhurandhar, she wants to sleep and directly wake up on the day when Dhurandhar 2 is releasing—this is the reaction of many people," he concluded. Released on December 5, 2025, the Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna starrer has enjoyed an extraordinary run, emerging as one of the biggest blockbusters in recent years. The film has shattered records, crossed the Rs 1,100 crore mark globally, and outperformed major hits such as Pathaan, Jawan, and Chhaava. Audiences have largely embraced the film for its gripping narrative, high-octane action, and Ranveer Singh’s intense portrayal of an Indian spy. However, alongside praise, Dhurandhar has also attracted controversy due to its political undertones, with some viewers branding it as propaganda.The sequel of the film, Dhurandhar 2, will hit cinemas on March 19, 2026.