The Unsung ‘Dhurandhar’: How Akshaye Khanna Dhurandhar Role Stole the Show (and Why He Was Paid Only ₹2.5 Crore)

Category: Entertainment / Biography | Read Time: 7 Minutes | Author: NewsLounge Desk

If you have scrolled through Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) this week, you haven’t just seen Ranveer Singh’s high-octane action scenes. You have seen something far more captivating: a 49-year-old Akshaye Khanna in a black pathani suit, effortlessly dancing to the Arabic hip-hop track ‘FA9LA’.

In Aditya Dhar’s spy-universe spectacle Dhurandhar, amidst a reported ₹350 Crore budget, it is the antagonist Rehman Dakait who has hijacked the narrative. While Ranveer Singh delivers star power, Akshaye Khanna has delivered a cult classic performance that critics are calling “The Villain of the Decade.”

Here is the complete story of the “Rise, Fall, and Renaissance” of Bollywood’s most underrated genius, the shocking pay gap that has fans furious, and why this role is his biggest comeback yet.

The Viral Phenomenon: That ‘FA9LA’ Entry Scene

The scene was supposed to be a standard villain introduction. A Pakistani crime lord steps out of a desert convoy. But Akshaye Khanna, known for his eccentric genius, decided to improvise.

According to choreographer Vijay Ganguly, Akshaye’s little “groove” and shoulder shrug to the Bahraini rap song FA9LA was completely unscripted. He didn’t just walk; he flowed.

• The Internet Verdict: The clip has garnered over 50 million views across platforms in 4 days.

• The Vibe: Fans are comparing his “swagger” to his late father, Vinod Khanna, noting that Akshaye has finally embraced his legacy as the “Bad Boy” of Bollywood.

Fun Fact: The line “Shake your shoulders” is exactly what Akshaye Khanna does in the scene, which is why fans think the song was made for him, even though it was released back in 2024!

FA9LA Lyrics – Flipperachi (Full Lyrics)

[Chorus] Yakhi Doos Doos, ‘Indi Khosh Fasla Yakhi Tafooz Tafooz, Wallah Khosh Raksah

[Verse 1] ‘Indi Lak Raksa Kawiyyah Ya Al-Habib.

Ismiha Sabooha, Khatabha Nasib. Midd Yidak Jannak B’ta’Teeha Kaff.

W-Hazz Jitfik Hil Khallak Shadeed

[Verse 2] ‘Atni Raqset Il-Fareesah  Zid ‘Alaiha Shway ‘Indi Biza

Haqq Il-Muhtarr Elli Na’Rifah Siydah

Illy Msawwi Li Feeha Ana Heeba

[Verse 3] ‘Ayal Sweeli Raksa Biya

Jip Li Wahid Karak Yalla

Yaba Tigg Sayara B’il-Yis Yalla Yalla

Sweeli Raqsa Thaniya

Raqset Il-Batrik Wallah 6/8

[Bridge] Helu-Helu Zayn Makanah Helu

Il-Decoration Malah Helu

Sweeli Raqset Il-Marshmallow

Rabi’Na Hafouh Kilah Kamil Killoh

[Outro] Rfeejak Tayeh Jetfah Kan Yehizzah Hizz

Yai Min Zaman Awwal Layl

Ambay Shfeeh ‘Abboudi Yodhah

Lana Ihna Shayleen Hal-Laylah Yaba Sheel

Agool A’Tini Raqsa Tiggli Sarnai

Agool A’Tini Raqsa Akel Metay

Hello Goodbye Agool Sweeli Raqsa

Zeidli Shakar Wayed W Ana Ashrab Shay

[Chorus] Yakhi Doos Doos, ‘Indi Khosh Fasla (Bro, press it, press it, I have a killer vibe) Yakhi Tafooz Tafooz, Wallah Khosh Raksah (Bro, you win, you win, I swear what a killer dance)

[Verse 1] ‘Indi Lak Raksa Kawiyyah Ya Al-Habib (I have a powerful dance for you, my friend) Ismiha Sabooha, Khatabha Nasib (It’s called Sabooha, destiny proposed to her) Midd Yidak Jannak B’ta’Teeha Kaff (Stretch your hand like you are about to slap) W-Hazz Jitfik Hil Khallak Shadeed (And shake your shoulders hard, stay strong)

[Verse 2] ‘Atni Raqset Il-Fareesah (Give me the “Prey” dance) Zid ‘Alaiha Shway ‘Indi Biza (Add a little extra, I have money) Haqq Il-Muhtarr Elli Na’Rifah Siydah (For the arrogant one we know is straight/easy) Illy Msawwi Li Feeha Ana Heeba (The one acting like he is so intimidating)

[Verse 3] ‘Ayal Sweeli Raksa Biya (So do the “Baya” dance for me) Jip Li Wahid Karak Yalla (Bring me one Karak tea, come on) Yaba Tigg Sayara B’il-Yis Yalla Yalla (Oh man, hit the car with the beat, come on) Sweeli Raqsa Thaniya (Do another dance for me) Raqset Il-Batrik Wallah 6/8 (The Penguin dance, I swear, 6/8 time)

[Bridge] Helu-Helu Zayn Makanah Helu (Sweet, sweet, the place is good/sweet) Il-Decoration Malah Helu (The decoration itself is sweet) Sweeli Raqset Il-Marshmallow (Do the Marshmallow dance for me) Rabi’Na Hafouh Kilah Kamil Killoh (Our group hyped it up, they ate it all up)

[Outro] Rfeejak Tayeh Jetfah Kan Yehizzah Hizz (Your friend is lost, his shoulder was shaking hard) Yai Min Zaman Awwal Layl (He came from the early night) Ambay Shfeeh ‘Abboudi Yodhah (Oh my, what is wrong with Abboudi? He is fainting) Lana Ihna Shayleen Hal-Laylah Yaba Sheel (Because we are carrying this night, oh man, carry it) Agool A’Tini Raqsa Tiggli Sarnai (I say give me the dance that makes me happy) Agool A’Tini Raqsa Akel Metay (I say give me the “Eating Sweets” dance) Hello Goodbye Agool Sweeli Raqsa (Hello Goodbye, I say do a dance for me) Zeidli Shakar Wayed W Ana Ashrab Shay (Add lots of sugar while I drink tea)

Decoding the FA9LA Lyrics: What Does ‘FA9LA’ Mean?

The track is not just random beats; it is a Bahraini rap song by Flipperachi (feat. Daffy). The title FA9LA (pronounced Fasla) comes from Gulf slang. In Arabizi (chat text), the number ‘9’ represents the Arabic letter ‘Saad’ (ص).

• Literal Meaning: “Fasla” means to “disconnect.”

• Slang Meaning: It refers to “zoning out,” “having a blast,” or being in a state of pure vibe—perfect for Akshaye’s character who kills with a smile.

Here are the viral lines you are hearing on Instagram, with their English meaning:

The Paycheck Controversy for Akshaye Khanna Dhurandhar Role : ₹50 Crore vs ₹2.5 Crore

While reviews unanimously declare Akshaye the “Soul of Dhurandhar,” a leaked fee structure has sparked a massive debate on social media regarding pay disparity in Bollywood.

The Dhurandhar Salary Breakdown (Estimated):

Fan Reaction: One viral tweet with 20k likes read: “He overshadowed the hero with 1/20th of the salary. Akshaye Khanna is the best ROI (Return on Investment) in Indian Cinema right now.”

This massive gap highlights a harsh industry reality: stars get paid for the opening day box office, but actors like Akshaye get paid for the “repeat value.”

The Biography: The 3 Phases of Akshaye Khanna

To understand why this comeback matters, we must look at his turbulent journey.

Phase 1: The Reluctant Prince (1997-2004)

Launched in Himalay Putra (1997) by his father Vinod Khanna, Akshaye was touted as the next superstar. The film flopped, but his talent didn’t.

• The Breakthrough: J.P. Dutta’s Border (1997) proved he could hold his own against giants like Sunny Deol.

• The Cult Classic: In 2001, he played ‘Sid’ in Dil Chahta Hai. While Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan had the flashy lines, Akshaye played the emotional anchor. His portrayal of a mature, brooding artist remains a benchmark for understated acting.

• The First Villain Arc: With Humraaz (2002) and later Race (2008), he proved he was often better at being “bad” than being “good.”

Phase 2: The Great Vanishing Act (2012-2016)

Between 2012 and 2016, Akshaye virtually ghosted the industry. No interviews, no parties, no films. In a rare interview later, he admitted to being “burned out” and dealing with personal issues, including premature hair loss that hit his confidence. “I felt I had nothing left to offer,” he confessed. The industry moved on, assuming he had retired.

Phase 3: The ‘Renaissance’ (2017-Present)

He didn’t come back as a romantic hero. He came back as a powerhouse character actor, choosing scripts that required brain over brawn.

1. Section 375 (2019): A legal drama where his dialogue delivery was sharper than a knife.

2. Drishyam 2 (2022): The genius cop who almost caught Vijay Salgaonkar.

3. Dhurandhar (2025): The viral villain Rehman Dakait.

Quiet Luxury: The Net Worth of a Recluse

Don’t let the “low fee” for Dhurandhar fool you. Akshaye Khanna is one of the wealthiest “non-superstars” in India, thanks to smart investments and family inheritance.

• Net Worth: Estimated at ₹167 Crore ($20 Million).

• Real Estate Portfolio:

  • Alibaug Farmhouse: A sprawling 12-acre property where he spends most of his time gardening and reading.

  • Malabar Hill Mansion: A share in the massive ancestral property in South Mumbai, one of the most expensive pin codes in the world.

• Lifestyle: He is famously single, refuses to hire a PR team, and does not have active social media accounts. In an era of over-exposure, his mystery is his biggest asset.

Why ‘Rehman Dakait’ is the Character of the Year

Critics have pointed out that Akshaye’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait works because it is “Camp” yet “Terrifying.” Unlike typical Bollywood villains who shout and scream, Rehman is soft-spoken, stylish, and funny. Akshaye brings a “Joker-esque” unpredictability to the role. When he smiles, you don’t know if he is going to crack a joke or shoot someone. That tension is what audiences are loving.

Related: Dhurandhar Box Office Day 4: Crosses ₹100 Cr, Beats Tiger 3, Pathaan

Conclusion

With Dhurandhar crossing the ₹300 Crore mark worldwide, Akshaye Khanna has proved one thing: You don’t need six-pack abs or item songs to rule the screen. You just need a smirk and the right attitude. While Ranveer Singh is the face of the movie, Akshaye Khanna is undoubtedly its soul. The only question now is: Will Bollywood finally give him the paycheck he deserves for his next role?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who played the villain in Dhurandhar movie?

A: The main villain, Rehman Dakait, is played by Akshaye Khanna. His performance has been widely praised as the highlight of the film.

Q: How much did Akshaye Khanna charge for Dhurandhar?

A: Reports suggest Akshaye Khanna charged between ₹2.5 to ₹3 Crore for his role, significantly less than the lead actor Ranveer Singh.

Q: Is the FA9LA dance in Dhurandhar scripted?

A: No, choreographer Vijay Ganguly confirmed that Akshaye Khanna improvised the dance steps to the song FA9LA during the entry scene.

Q: What is Akshaye Khanna’s net worth in 2025?

A: Akshaye Khanna’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹167 Crore, comprising real estate in Mumbai and Alibaug.

Watch Dhurandhar Official Trailer: You Tube

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