Long before timelines were flooded with edits, thirst tweets and endless praise for Akshaye Khanna’s intensity on screen, the actor had already carved a quiet, powerful space for himself in Bollywood. His recent performances in Chhaava and especially Dhurandhar, where he terrified audiences as the ruthless Rehman Dakait, have turned admiration into full-blown obsession. Fans are hooked on his commanding presence, his effortless menace and the way he seems to steal every scene he steps into. Many are even calling him the most unexpected and impressive standout of the year.
But here’s the twist. Akshaye Khanna being a heartthrob isn’t new. What feels like a sudden Internet discovery is actually a long-standing truth that dates back to the early days of his career. Even Bollywood’s inner circles weren’t immune to his charm and one of his earliest admirers was none other than Kareena Kapoor.
In her book Kareena Kapoor: The Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva by Rochelle Pinto, Kareena candidly reflected on her teenage years when she would often visit film sets with her elder sister Karisma Kapoor. At that time, Kareena was still finding her way, watching the industry from the sidelines while Karisma, fondly known as Lolo, was already a leading star. Film sets felt magical to her, full of excitement, glamour and larger-than-life personalities. Watching her sister being paired opposite the most desirable actors of that era left a lasting impression on her.
Among all those popular heroes, Akshaye Khanna stood out. Kareena Kapoor admitted that she was completely smitten by him and would turn shy and flustered whenever he was around. She may have been young and starstruck but even then, her trademark confidence was already in place. She openly told people that she too would one day become a famous actress, a prediction that soon came true.
Cut to the present and Akshaye Khanna is riding a massive wave of appreciation. Thanks to the overwhelming audience response, he is set to return as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for release on 19 March 2026. Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan is gearing up for her next project Daayra, a crime drama directed by Meghna Gulzar and co-starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film was completed in late 2025 and is expected to hit screens in 2026.
Sometimes, comebacks don’t begin; they simply remind us of what was always there.
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