Naveen Kaushik: Akshaye Khanna Left Me Speechless.

Actor Naveen Kaushik, who plays Donga, the right-hand man of Akshaye Khanna’s character Rahmaan Dakiat in Dhurandhar, shared his experience of working with Akshaye — and he can’t stop praising him. In a chat with Hindustan Times, Naveen said Akshaye’s performance and comeback feel like a “revelation.” He believes Akshaye has rebuilt his career with incredible depth, discipline, and dedication.

A Calm and Focused Performer

Naveen has been a fan of Akshaye for years, remembering his strong roles in films like Dil Chahta Hai and Taal. Watching him return with projects like Chhawa and now Dhurandhar has inspired him.

He said Akshaye had a calm, “zen-like” focus before every scene, helping him fully become Rahmaan Dakiat — a character filled with quiet anger and controlled power. His teamwork with director Aditya Dhar was also impressive. Naveen said Akshaye understood exactly what the director wanted but still added his own unique style.

Even though Akshaye stayed in character, he was warm and friendly when anyone approached him. Naveen said working with him felt like a “masterclass,” especially for someone who has been in the industry for 25 years.

The Scene That Left Everyone Speechless

Naveen shared that one unforgettable moment on set was the hospital entry scene where Rahmaan finds out about his son’s death. Most people expected a loud, emotional moment. But Akshaye performed it quietly and intensely — and it became one of the most powerful scenes in the movie.

Another surprising moment happened in the market scene, when Rahmaan kills Babu Dakait. After the act, Akshaye suddenly let out a loud whoop — something no one expected. Naveen said it added a new emotional layer to the character.

Viral Dance Moment

Even during a shoot in a tribal village, Akshaye surprised the team. Instead of just sitting during a song, he suddenly started dancing — and kept going take after take. Naveen said Akshaye was full of surprising choices, whether in action, emotion, or dance.

For Naveen, working with Akshaye wasn’t just acting — it was learning. He said watching Akshaye rebuild his career with so much depth has been inspiring, and he’s happy to see audiences appreciating him again.