Why Akshaye Khanna First Rejected His Viral Dhurandhar Look: ‘I’m Not Sure If...’

Why Akshaye Khanna First Rejected His Viral Dhurandhar Look: ‘I’m Not Sure If...’ Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar look nearly took a different turn. The actor wasn’t convinced at first - and that hesitation changed Rehman Dakait’s final image. One of the most talked-about elements of Dhurandhar - Akshaye Khanna’s imposing on-screen presence - nearly took a very different shape. The look that has now taken over social media, inspired reels, and become inseparable from the character of Rehman Dakait was something the actor himself wasn’t fully convinced about at first. Since the film’s release, Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of the crime kingpin has sparked constant conversation. From his dramatic entry at a political rally set to “Lutt Le Gaya" to the now-viral “Fa9la" sequence where Rehman Dakait is crowned Sher-E-Baloch, the character’s visual identity has played a huge role in its impact. But behind the scenes, getting that look right involved long discussions, rethinking ideas, and Akshaye pushing back until it felt honest. Recommended Stories A look that needed to feel lived-in In a conversation with Digital Commentary, costume designer Smriti Chauhan revealed that the initial plan was far more straightforward. Akshaye Khanna was meant to be seen largely in pathanis. But the actor felt something was missing. “We gave him kurta-jeans as well. It was a very important input by Akshaye sir himself, that we should not forget that he is also from the streets." That suggestion changed the entire visual arc of the character. Chauhan explained how the costume journey mirrors Rehman Dakait’s rise. “It made a lot of sense, because we also see his rise in the film as he progresses to join a political party later in the story. So, we had a journey where we see him distressed in linens and denims, and then cut to silk-wool pathani, which is one of the most important looks in the film." When Akshaye wasn’t convinced The process wasn’t smooth or instant. Chauhan revealed that even after look tests, Akshaye remained unsure. “He had the first look test, and after a few weeks, we were summoned for a meeting. He said, ‘I’m not sure if we take this route,’ and we were like, okay." What followed was a deeper discussion about the character’s roots. “That’s when he mentioned that we can’t forget he comes from the street and there has to be ruggedness to his vibe." That insistence shaped the final design language of Rehman Dakait - not polished too early, not theatrical for the sake of it, but grounded in where the character comes from. The Fa9la moment that sealed it One of the film’s most replayed sequences is Rehman Dakait vibing to “Fa9la." Even that look went through last-minute decisions. Chauhan shared that the original idea was for everyone to be dressed in black. But authenticity changed the plan. “Initially, the idea was that all dancers would be in black. But if you see the original Balochis, they wear white a lot. So Aditya sir suggested we go...

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