Dhurandhar 2: Akshaye Khanna to Return as Rehman Dakait, Special Shoot Planned to Explore Backstory
Akshaye Khanna is set to reprise his much-talked-about role as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar 2, with the makers planning a special shoot to delve deeper into the character’s backstory.
Following the unprecedented box office success of Dhurandhar, which has emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters in Bollywood history, audience interest around the sequel has intensified particularly surrounding Akshaye Khanna’s menacing portrayal of the Pakistani gangster Rehman Dakait.
Akshaye Khanna’s Return Confirmed
According to a report by Filmfare, Akshaye Khanna will return for a brief one-week shoot in Dhurandhar 2. The limited schedule is reportedly dedicated to expanding Rehman Dakait’s past, adding emotional depth and narrative layers to the character in the sequel.
“Sources confirm that Akshaye Khanna will return to sets for a short one-week shoot, aimed at expanding his character’s backstory and adding more layers to his role in the next chapter of the franchise,” the report stated.
Although Rehman Dakait meets his end in the first film, the sequel is expected to explore his journey through flashbacks, offering audiences a deeper understanding of the character’s motivations and legacy.
Rehman Dakait’s Cultural Impact
Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait became one of the standout elements of Dhurandhar. His intimidating screen presence, combined with a brief yet viral dance moment to Flipperachi’s “Fa9La”, turned the character into a pop-culture phenomenon. Despite the widespread attention, Khanna has largely stayed away from the spotlight, letting the performance speak for itself.
About Dhurandhar 2
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has rewritten box office history by crossing the ₹850 crore mark in India, a milestone rarely achieved by Hindi cinema. The film stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi in key roles.
The makers have officially announced Dhurandhar 2 for a grand Eid 2026 release on March 19, 2026. The sequel will explore:
- The backstory of Ranveer Singh’s character
- The consequences of Rehman Dakait’s killing
- A hinted brutal face-off between Ranveer Singh and Arjun Rampal, teased in the end-credit scene
The film will face a major box office clash with Yash’s Toxic and Adivi Sesh’s Dacoit.
Akshaye Khanna’s Upcoming Projects
Beyond Dhurandhar 2, Akshaye Khanna has an exciting slate ahead:
- Mahakali – A superhero film from the HanuMan universe, directed by Puja Kolluru, where Khanna plays Asuraguru Shukracharya. This marks his Telugu cinema debut.
- Ikka – An intense action thriller directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, where Khanna is expected to play the primary antagonist opposite Sunny Deol. The film also stars Dia Mirza, Tillotama Shome, and Sanjeeda Shaikh.
With Dhurandhar 2, Akshaye Khanna’s return as Rehman Dakait promises to add emotional weight and intrigue to an already high-stakes franchise.
