Imagine being so captivated by a film that you wish you could have been part of it—even if it meant playing a ruthless gangster. That’s exactly how Nagarjuna feels about Dhurandhar, the spy thriller that has everyone talking. But here’s where it gets controversial: rumors have been swirling that Nagarjuna was the filmmakers’ first choice for the role of Rehman Dakait, the menacing Pakistani gangster eventually portrayed by Akshaye Khanna. Now, Nagarjuna has finally addressed the buzz, and his response might surprise you.
In a recent chat with Bollywood Hungama, Nagarjuna set the record straight about the circulating rumors. ‘Absolutely not,’ he said, debunking claims that he turned down the role. ‘I was never offered it, though I wish I had been. Dhurandhar is a phenomenal film—Aditya Dhar’s direction is truly remarkable. I was a huge fan of his earlier work, Uri, and this film is no exception. The entire cast delivered superb performances, and Akshaye Khanna was absolutely terrific. I’m already looking forward to the sequel and hoping it’s another blockbuster!’
And this is the part most people miss: Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait wasn’t just chilling—it was iconic. His viral dancing entry to Flipperachi’s Fa9la became an instant sensation, leaving audiences obsessed. But was Nagarjuna’s absence from the role a missed opportunity, or did Akshaye’s performance make it unforgettable? That’s a question worth debating.
Meanwhile, Nagarjuna is busy shooting his 100th film, a milestone he’s taking his time with. ‘We’re not rushing anything,’ he shared. ‘We want it to be special. After Dhurandhar, it’s clear that audiences expect international-level storytelling, and we aim to deliver.’
Dhurandhar, released on December 5 last year, has become a massive hit, grossing ₹1300 crore worldwide—including a record-breaking ₹800+ crore in India. Set in Lyari, Karachi, the film weaves covert intelligence operations into the backdrop of real-world events like the Kandahar plane hijack, the 2001 Parliament Attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Its star-studded cast includes Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi.
The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is set to hit theaters on March 19, clashing with Yash’s pan-India film, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups. Directed by Geethu Mohandas, Toxic boasts a powerhouse cast, including Rukmini Vasanth, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Akshay Oberoi, and Sudev Nair. With such high stakes, the box office battle is one to watch.
But here’s the real question: Would Dhurandhar have been different if Nagarjuna had played Rehman Dakait? Or did Akshaye Khanna’s performance set a standard that’s hard to match? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some heated opinions!
