Before Akshaye Khanna, 3 actors turned down Rahman Dakait role in Dhurandhar — here’s why

Actor Akshaye Khanna has been receiving widespread praise for his portrayal of the ruthless Rahman Dakait in Dhurandhar, but the role almost went to someone else. In fact, it was turned down by three actors before eventually landing with him, casting director Mukesh Chhabra has revealed.

In a recent interview, Chhabra shared that one actor from the South film industry and two from Bollywood had declined the role, citing what he described as an unusual reason. According to him, the actors were hesitant because Dhurandhar was perceived as an ensemble film led by Ranveer Singh.

“They said, ‘This is an ensemble cast’ and ‘This is Ranveer Singh’s film’,” Chhabra said, adding that the reasoning left him disappointed, given the effort that goes into casting decisions.

The hesitation, as explained by Chhabra, stemmed from the perception that the film revolved primarily around Ranveer Singh’s character. For some actors, this raised concerns about screen space and prominence within the narrative.

This reflects a broader industry pattern, where actors often weigh the visibility and centrality of their roles before committing to a project. Ensemble films, while creatively rich, can sometimes be seen as risky from a career standpoint—especially when one star is perceived to dominate the storyline.

However, this reasoning can also be questioned. Strong supporting or antagonist roles have historically delivered some of the most memorable performances in cinema. In this case, the eventual response to Akshaye Khanna’s performance suggests that impact may matter more than screen time.

After the initial rejections, Mukesh Chhabra approached Akshaye Khanna with the role. Unlike others, the actor reportedly responded immediately, agreed to hear the narration, and was convinced by the script.

Within a day, he signed on to play Rahman Dakait—a decision that Chhabra praised as instinctive and independent. He noted that Khanna is among those actors who choose projects based on their own judgement rather than external opinions.

That decision appears to have paid off. Khanna’s portrayal of the Lyari-based ganglord has been widely appreciated for its intensity and menace, emerging as one of the film’s standout performances.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is set against the backdrop of Lyari in Karachi, an area historically associated with gang conflicts and turf wars. The film blends crime drama with geopolitical tensions, referencing real-world events such as the Kandahar hijack, the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The film also features a strong ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun in key roles.

The sequel, released on March 19, expands on the story by exploring the origins of Ranveer Singh’s character, Hamza, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi. It also advances the narrative, showing his rise within Lyari’s power structure while tackling a larger terror network threatening India.

The casting revelation raises an interesting question about decision-making in the film industry. While some actors prioritise billing and visibility, others—like Akshaye Khanna in this case—appear to focus on the strength of the role itself.

If anything, the success of Rahman Dakait as a character challenges the assumption that only lead roles define impact. In cinema, a well-written character, even within an ensemble, can leave a lasting impression—sometimes more than the lead itself.