From packed theatres to loud box-office numbers Dhurandhar is clearly riding a strong wave. While Ranveer Singh headlines the film it is Akshaye Khanna who has unexpectedly emerged as the biggest talking point. Social media fan pages and film circles are buzzing not just about the film’s success but about Akshaye’s gripping screen presence that many feel overshadows even the lead star. Why is Akshaye Khanna getting more applause than the lead? In Dhurandhar Akshaye Khanna plays Rahman Dakuait a character who leaves a lasting impact from the moment he appears on screen. Several of his scenes have already gone viral especially his entry sequence where his restrained dance moves and cold intensity have struck a chord with viewers. The performance has been widely praised for its depth control and raw emotion. Did Akshaye Khanna really get slapped seven times? One behind-the-scenes revelation has particularly shocked fans. Actor Naveen Kaushik who plays Donga one of Rahman Dakuait’s gang members recently revealed that Akshaye Khanna was slapped not once or twice but seven times while shooting a key emotional scene. The scene appears early in the film where Ulfat (played by Saumya Tandon) confronts her husband Rahman after the death of their elder son. Overcome with grief she slaps him in a moment filled with pain and rage. According to Naveen the scene was retaken multiple times at Akshaye’s own insistence to make it more impactful. What happened on the sets during the retakes? Speaking about the moment Naveen shared that Akshaye Khanna showed zero hesitation despite repeated slaps. He also revealed that both Akshaye and director Aditya Dhar encouraged Saumya Tandon to forget the presence of a senior star and completely surrender to the emotion of the scene. The goal was authenticity and Akshaye was fully committed to it. How is Dhurandhar performing at the box office? Directed by Aditya Dhar Dhurandhar is a high-octane spy action thriller featuring an ensemble cast that includes Ranveer Singh Akshaye Khanna R. Madhavan Arjun Rampal Sanjay Dutt and Sara Arjun. Released in theatres on December 5 the film has enjoyed a thunderous run so far. By its ninth day Dhurandhar reportedly collected Rs 53 crore in a single day taking its total India nett collection to over Rs 290 crore. With strong word-of-mouth and repeat audiences the film continues to dominate discussions—both for its numbers and for Akshaye Khanna’s unforgettable performance.