Ram Gopal Varma Praises Akshaye Khanna’s ‘Lived-In’ Performance in Dhurandhar

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has praised Akshaye Khanna for his performance in Dhurandhar, calling it one of the most authentic portrayals seen in recent Indian cinema.

Taking to social media, Varma highlighted Akshaye Khanna’s natural screen presence in Aditya Dhar’s action drama, suggesting that the actor’s performance stands apart from conventional, stylised portrayals.

“In every shot of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna looks like he’s stepping out of life, unlike most actors who look like they stepped out of a makeup van,” Varma wrote, underlining what he described as Khanna’s grounded and lived-in acting style.

RGV CALLS DHURANDHAR A GAME-CHANGER

This is not the first time Ram Gopal Varma has lauded the film. Earlier, the director described Dhurandhar as a landmark moment for Indian cinema, calling it a “quantum leap” that could redefine mainstream filmmaking across industries.

In a previous post, Varma had said that Aditya Dhar had “single-handedly changed the future of Indian cinema,” praising the film’s scale, storytelling and execution.

AKSHAYE KHANNA’S ROLE GAINS ATTENTION

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar features Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait, a role that has increasingly drawn attention for its intensity and realism. Critics and audiences alike have noted the actor’s restrained approach, which avoids overt theatrics in favour of subtle expression.

RECORD-BREAKING BOX OFFICE RUN

At the box office, Dhurandhar has emerged as a historic success. The film has overtaken the lifetime collections of Stree 2 and Kantara: Chapter One, and recently surpassed Chhaava’s earnings to become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.

With strong word-of-mouth, critical acclaim, and endorsements from filmmakers like Ram Gopal Varma, Dhurandhar continues to consolidate its position as one of the most significant releases of the year.