3 Actors Rejected Rehman Dakait - Akshaye Khanna Turned It Into Gold in Dhurandhar

Akshaye Khanna’s performance as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar has emerged as one of the film’s most widely discussed elements, drawing praise for its restraint and intensity. However, the actor was not the first choice for the role, casting director Mukesh Chhabra has revealed.

In a recent interaction, Chhabra said that three actors  one from the South film industry and two from Bollywood  had declined the part. While he chose not to name them, he suggested that their hesitation stemmed from the film’s ensemble format and its positioning around Ranveer Singh.

“They said it’s an ensemble cast and that it’s Ranveer Singh’s film,” Chhabra said, adding that he found the reasoning disappointing given the amount of thought that goes into casting decisions. Director Aditya Dhar, he added, remained unfazed by the setbacks and was confident about the film’s overall vision.

Following the rejections, Chhabra approached Akshaye Khanna. The actor responded promptly, heard the narration, and is said to have described the script as “fantastic.” He agreed to come on board within a day, effectively locking in the casting of Rehman Dakait. Chhabra also noted that Khanna tends to take decisions independently, without being overly influenced by external opinions  a quality he believes sets him apart.

Set in Lyari, Karachi  a region historically associated with gang conflicts  Dhurandhar situates its narrative against the backdrop of covert intelligence operations and major geopolitical developments. The film weaves personal arcs with larger themes of power, control and conflict, with Rehman Dakait positioned as a key force within that ecosystem.

The ensemble cast includes Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun. The sequel, released on March 19, further expands the storyline by exploring the origins of Ranveer Singh’s character and the shifting power dynamics within Lyari.

Khanna’s portrayal has since been seen as a reminder of how casting choices can evolve during production  and how roles that are initially turned down can eventually find the actor best suited to bring them to life.