Bollywood has always been a place where stars rise, fade, and sometimes vanish altogether. Yet, every once in a while, an actor defies the cycle—returning with renewed brilliance. In 2025, that actor is Akshaye Khanna. Once the quiet powerhouse of films like Border and Dil Chahta Hai, Khanna has staged a comeback that feels less like a return and more like a rebirth.
The Early Fire
Akshaye Khanna’s entry into cinema in the late 1990s was marked by intensity and charm. His performances in Taal and Dil Chahta Hai cemented him as a thinking man’s actor—someone who could balance mainstream appeal with nuanced artistry. But as Bollywood shifted gears into louder, glossier storytelling, Khanna’s understated brilliance seemed to drift into the background.
Jyothi Venkatesh, Senior film journalist feels that Akshaye Khanna was completely different from his father Vinod Khanna, with whom I was quite friendly. This boy is very shy, an introspective actor and he was never over ambitious.
He never felt like showing off that he is doing 20 films (like most of his contemporaries during that period) and used to be very selective. He was never friendly, but at the same time quite warm and cordial and he is a staunch Bachelor in an industry that is full of romances and affairs.
The Ashes of Obscurity
By the mid-2010s, Khanna had stepped away from the spotlight. While contemporaries chased fame and franchises, he chose silence. For many, it seemed like his story had ended too soon. Yet, in hindsight, this pause was the incubation of something greater—a chance for reinvention.
Inder Mohan Pannu, Senior Journalist recalls his first interaction with Akshaye Khanna at a huge launch party of his debut film Himalay Putra (1997) at the Mahalaxmi Race Course where a huge idol of Lord Shiva was erected. He was very shy and an introvert who had to be prodded to say something about his film which also had Anjala Zaveri in it.
After that I met him at a pre-release event of his film Gali Gali Chor Hai (2012), which was held at Anna Hazare’s village in Ralegan Siddhi, Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Akshaye opened out a bit towards me saying, “I feel satisfied to do such a social film, that is much different from the Bollywood types, and it’s message has to reach the people.”
Akshaye is not media-savvy and is very down to earth. He would not go out of his way to get something published about him or his films. Even when he signed an RK Banner film Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) he remained low profile unlike others who would tom-tom about signing such a big film.
Even as of now, he is not that type who would open-handedly greet journalists which is the ‘usual norm’ in Bollywood parties. During one of our informal conversations, Akshay mentioned, “I realize that Bollywood is moving against the trend by churning out films what our people do not want. There is a huge gap between the films being made and peoples likes and expectations,” but he was optimistic about the film industry and look what a year 2025 has turned out with Chhava, Saiyyara and Dhurandhar.
The Phoenix Rises
The turning point came with Drishyam 2 in 2022, where Khanna’s restrained yet magnetic performance reminded audiences of his craft. But 2025 has been the true year of resurrection.
In Chhaava, Khanna delivered a commanding performance in a historical epic, proving he could hold his own against younger stars like Vicky Kaushal. In Dhurandhar, his portrayal of Rehman Dakait was chilling, layered, and unforgettable—earning him both critical acclaim and viral fan adoration.
These roles weren’t just performances; they were statements. Akshaye Khanna was back, and he was here to dominate.
Craft Over Glamour
What makes Khanna’s resurgence remarkable is his refusal to chase trends. He doesn’t rely on PR blitzes or social media gimmicks. Instead, he lets his work speak. His characters are complex, his delivery understated yet powerful, and his presence magnetic. In an industry obsessed with noise, Khanna’s quiet intensity feels revolutionary.
Narendra Gupta, Bollywood Trade analyst mentions that Akshaye leads an aloof life in his Alibaug bungalow, away from the Bolywood glitz and glamour. In one of his informal chats (Akshaya never believed in giving interviews for publicity), “I am happy being alone, away from tensions about having a wife or kids,” that is what he confided to me that time.
Akshaye Khanna is very choosy about the roles he signs for. But whatever character he plays, he puts in his 100 percent. He is almost cut off from the industry. I would say that due to some creative differences about his character in Drishyam 3, in all probabilities, Akshaye has opted out from this upcoming thriller. With him raising his asking price almost 4-5 multiples of what he received for Dhurandhar, I feel that he has taken the right decision. And this talent power-house of talent deserves his due now atleast with the junta national and international having flipped over his performance in Dhurandhar.
Rewriting his Legacy
At 50, Akshaye Khanna is not just making a comeback—he’s rewriting his legacy. His journey mirrors the phoenix: from the ashes of obscurity, he has risen with renewed fire. For younger actors, his career is a lesson in patience and craft. For audiences, it’s a reminder that true talent never fades—it only waits for the right moment to soar again.
Phalke award-winning eminent senior film journalist-editor Chaitanya Padukone says, “As if by surreal ‘ittefaq’, in his golden jubilee 50th year (age) mega-star versatile actor Akshaye Khanna has risen to the zenith of glory, like the proverbial phenomenal phoenix! With his memorable, show-stopper performance as Rehman Dakait in the latest blockbuster Dhurandhar.
He goes on further, “When I first met and spoke to Akshaye Khanna, at the launch parties of both Himalaya Putra and Border in 1997, I found him to be suave, witty and chilled-out and yes very frank and honest by nature. Some 28 years ago the practical Akshaye had said to me, “Media- publicity can provide an actor with media-awareness, but the its the impactful screen-performance and the box-office success of the movie ultimately makes him a star or superstar,” said Akshaye who was first introduced to me by his legendary star actor-father Vinod Khanna.
Today if Vinod ji had been alive, he would have been immensely proud of his super-talented actor son Akshaye . Way back in 1997 Akshaye had won a hat-trick of three Best Male Debut Actor Awards including the Filmfare Award for his army officer role in Border. Defying and redefining media exposure norms, the maverick rebel Akshaye has now PROVED that even ‘without’ giving media interviews and even ‘without’ appearing at media promotional events, a power-house performer actor can daringly emerge the ‘darling of the masses’ and also qualify to win all the competitive Awards, during 2026,” concludes Chaitanya Padukone.
Akshaye Khanna’s 2025 is more than a comeback; it’s a renaissance. His performances in Chhaava and Dhurandhar have redefined him as one of Bollywood’s most formidable actors. Like the phoenix, he has risen—proving that in cinema, as in life, reinvention is the ultimate triumph.
7 Defining Roles of Akshaye Khanna, other than Dhurandhar –
- Border (1997)
His debut performance as a young soldier was heartfelt and patriotic, instantly winning audience admiration. - Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
As Siddharth, the sensitive artist, Khanna delivered one of Bollywood’s most nuanced portrayals of friendship and love. - Hungama (2003)
Akshaye plays a kind-hearted rich man caught in comic mix-ups. - Gandhi, My Father (2007)
A deeply layered role as Harilal Gandhi, showcasing his ability to embody emotional conflict and tragedy. - Ittefaq (2017)
As Dev Verma, an astute officer investigating the double murder. - Section 375 (2019)
Khanna’s sharp, restrained performance as a defense lawyer proved his mastery of courtroom drama and subtle intensity. - Chhaava (2025)
Akshaye Khanna as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, this performance is being hailed as one of his finest—silent, sinister, and deeply restrained bringing in a chilling presence.
– By PARESH B. MEHTA, with inputs by JYOTHI VENKATESH, NARENDRA GUPTA, INDER MOHAN PANNU and CHAITANYA PADUKONE.
