How Akshaye Khanna almost missed out on Dhurandhar role, didn't call back after narration

Year 2025 belonged to Akshaye Khanna. First, he impressed the audience with his power packed role in 'Chhaava' and then stole everyone's thunder with his acting prowess in 'Dhurandhar'. The actor has left the whole nation swooning over his dance moves and fierce performance in Aditya Dhar's film.

However, casting director Mukesh Chhabra has revealed that Akshaye almost decided to let go off the role. Yes, you read that right! The role that would remain one of the biggest highlights of his career when he looks back, was not something Khanna was convinced he could do. Mukesh said he pitched Akshaye's name to Dhar and they all jumped on the name.

What went down

"I honestly hadn't watched Chhaava then. But I called him. Unhone pehle mujhe daanta [He first scolded me]. He said, 'Paagal ho gaya hai kya [Have you gone crazy]?' I asked him to at least hear me out once," Chhabra revealed.

Mukesh then went on to add how he asked Khanna to come to his office. Akshaye himself drove to his office without any entourage. "I asked him to come to the office. He said, 'Main toh yahan rehta hi nahi hoon. Bol kahan aana hai [I don't even live here. Tell me where you want to meet me?]'," he told India Today.

How Akshaye didn't call back for two days

The narration then went on on for several hours and even though the 'Dil Chahta Hai' actor looked happy, he didn't give any confirmation. It was only after two days that Chhabra got a call from the actor and he said, "F**k, it's very good. Bada maza aayega. (It's very good. This is going to be so much fun)."

Khanna then said, "He just said, 'Let's do it, bro.' That was it." And the rest as they say, is just history. Dhurandhar starring Ranveer Singh, Arjum Rampal, Sanjay Dutt and R Madhavan has crossed over Rs 1200 crore.