When Akshaye Khanna said he never saw Vinod Khanna as a star, only as his father, ‘I have never looked at him as an actor’

There are moments in a star’s life that strip away fame and leave behind only the human being. For Dhurandhar actor Akshaye Khanna, one such moment came after the passing of his father, legendary actor Vinod Khanna. In a deeply emotional throwback interview, Akshaye spoke not as a celebrity, but as a son trying to process an irreplaceable loss.

Vinod Khanna was never a star to him

When Vinod Khanna passed away on April 27, 2017, Akshaye found it difficult to even speak about him. Pausing, visibly overwhelmed, the actor shared his thoughts with IANS.


“You know… now that he is not here with us anymore, I started to think about him from that perspective (as a star) because I have never looked at him as an actor.”

For Akshaye, Vinod Khanna was never the screen icon admired by millions—he was simply a father. That realisation, he admitted, only came after loss. “He was always my dad… It’s only now that I will start looking at him as a yesteryear star who was admired by so many people. Anyway, we just lost him… so I think it’s too early for me to talk about our memories now… I need some time.”

Carrying a legacy while walking his own path

Akshaye Khanna is not just Vinod Khanna’s son; he is a powerhouse performer who has carved his own niche. While he shares the Khanna legacy with his brother Rahul and half-sisters Sakshi and Shraddha, Akshaye has always followed a quieter path. He avoids paparazzi attention and glittering parties, choosing instead to let his work speak for itself.

From the sensitive artist in Dil Chahta Hai to the intense soldier in Border, and later the slick schemer in Humraaz and Race, Akshaye has built a career rooted in credibility rather than conventional stardom.

From quiet grief to commanding the screen in ‘Dhurandhar’

Today, Akshaye is commanding attention with his performance in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. Playing the menacing Rehman Dakait, he has generated significant buzz. Social media has been abuzz with his dramatic entry sequence set to the Bahraini rap track FA9LA—a moment that is raw, fearless, and undeniably cool.

Adding to the intrigue, the sequence was reportedly improvised, lending authenticity to the scene. The makers later released the official clip on X, amplifying the film’s digital impact.

A spy thriller that continues to dominate

Dhurandhar features a powerful ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, alongside Akshaye Khanna. Ranveer essays the role of Hamza Ali Mazari, an undercover Indian spy who infiltrates Rehman Dakait’s gang.

Reportedly made on a budget of Rs 275 crore, the two-part spy thriller has a runtime of 214 minutes, making it one of the longest Indian films ever. According to Sacnilk, the film has collected Rs 400.35 crore in India so far.

Despite mixed critical reviews, audiences have embraced the film for its gripping narrative and large-scale action. The much-awaited second part is slated for release on March 19, 2026.