Akshaye Khanna’ ‘Dhurandhar’ Dance Goes Viral, Fans Say He Outshines Ranveer Singh

New Delhi, December 09, 2025: The spy-thriller Dhurandhar, starring an ensemble cast led by Ranveer Singh, has taken the box office by storm. Yet, days after its release, the biggest buzz isn’t around the protagonist, but the magnetic performance and a single, sensational dance step delivered by veteran actor Akshaye Khanna, who plays the powerful antagonist, Rehman Dakait.

A short clip of Khanna’s character entry in the film has gone completely viral across social media platforms, sparking a massive trend and leading legions of fans to proclaim the scene as the cinematic highlight of the year. So overwhelming is the response that many netizens are openly arguing that Khanna’s understated but powerful charisma in this brief moment eclipsed the presence of the lead, Ranveer Singh, in the same frame.

The Unscripted Swagger of Rehman Dakait

The scene in question is Khanna’s dramatic introduction as Rehman Dakait, a ruthless Pakistani crime lord and politician. Dressed impeccably in a crisp black suit and sunglasses, he arrives amidst a local gathering, walking through a line of traditional dancers. It is here that the magic happens. To the pulsating beats of “FA9LA,” a high-energy Khaleeji hip-hop track by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi, Khanna breaks into a few spontaneous, confident, and utterly unique dance moves before taking his seat.

This short, high-voltage burst of movement immediately captured the internet’s imagination, drawing instant comparisons to the legendary viral moment created by Bobby Deol’s “Jamal Kudu” entry in the film Animal. Fans have declared Khanna’s performance as the “next ‘Jamal Kudu’ moment,” cementing its status as a new pop-culture phenomenon. The Arabic title of the song, “FA9LA,” which loosely translates to “fun time” or “party,” adds an ironic layer of swagger to the villain’s grand entry.

A Masterclass in On-Set Improvisation

What makes the sequence even more remarkable is the revelation that the now-famous dance steps were entirely unscripted. Co-star Danish Pandor, who plays Khanna’s on-screen cousin, confirmed the improvisation, stating that Akshaye asked director Aditya Dhar if he could dance mid-shoot. “He did all of that on his own… Everyone was stunned, like kya kar diya yeh inhone (what has he done),” Pandor shared in a recent interview.

Choreographer Vijay Ganguly corroborated this, noting that Khanna was originally only meant to walk through the dancers and sit down. The actor’s spontaneous decision to dance—a testament to his immersion in the role—created a moment of pure, unforced cinematic gold. Adding to the legend of the scene, it was reportedly shot in the challenging, high-altitude conditions of Ladakh, requiring Khanna to keep a portable oxygen cylinder nearby between takes, underscoring his quiet dedication to the craft.

The Ranveer Factor: Generous Praise from the Lead

The online discussion inevitably led to comparisons between the two stellar actors. While Ranveer Singh, the film’s lead, has been widely praised for his powerful performance, many social media users noted that Khanna’s aura, grace, and stillness completely dominated the few seconds they shared on screen. Comments praising Khanna’s “screen presence” and calling him a “show stealer” flooded timelines.

However, in a move that won over fans, Ranveer Singh himself leaned into the trend, taking to his own social media to promote the clip and the song, highlighting “FA9LA” as the movie’s unforgettable track. This acknowledgement only amplified the scene’s popularity.

The enduring legacy of the viral moment is that it reminds the industry and audiences alike that true screen presence often speaks louder than extensive choreography. Akshaye Khanna’s unscripted few seconds have carved out a space in pop culture, proving once again that he remains one of Bollywood’s most effortlessly magnetic and unpredictable stars.