Akshaye Khanna's performance in Aditya Dhar's spy thriller, Dhurandhar, is making waves, particularly his entry scene as Rehman Dakait, a Pakistani crime lord, set to the Bahraini rap track "FA9LA". The song and the scene have become a viral sensation, with many comparing it to Bobby Deol's iconic "Jamal Kudu" moment in Animal. However, what many don't know is that Khanna's smooth dance moves were largely improvised.
Danish Pandor, who plays Uzair Baloch in Dhurandhar, revealed in an interview with Filmygyan that the dance was not choreographed. According to Pandor, the scene was shot in Leh Ladakh, and choreographer Vijay Ganguly was overseeing the song's choreography. Director Aditya Dhar was explaining the shot to Khanna when the actor asked if he could dance. Dhar gave him the freedom to do whatever he felt right.
Pandor recalled, "Then there's a take, and we all enter, and he looks at everyone dancing, and he starts dancing on his own. There's no choreography for him". The improvisation left everyone on set stunned. "People started applauding so much after the shot; the frames were looking so good," Pandor added. "He did it all on his own. He is terrific".
Vijay Ganguly, the choreographer, confirmed that Akshaye Khanna was initially meant to simply walk through the dancers and sit on the throne. However, sensing the scene's vibe and appreciating the dancers' performance, Khanna decided to add his own flair.
The "FA9LA" track, performed by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi, was released in 2024. The song's Khaleeji hip-hop beats amplify the intensity of Khanna's entry, instantly establishing Rehman Dakait as a ruthless and electrifying presence. Interestingly, "FA9LA" translates to "fun time" or "party" in the Bahraini dialect, which presents an ironic contrast to the character's cold-blooded nature. Some observers note that this contrast is precisely the point, as Rehman Dakait finds "fun" in violence.
The scene features Khanna in a sharp black suit and sunglasses, exuding confidence as he walks across a rugged landscape. The combination of the music, the setting, and Khanna's performance has resonated with audiences, turning the scene into a viral phenomenon. Ranveer Singh even shared the song on his Instagram, further amplifying its reach.
The filming conditions in Ladakh presented challenges. Due to the high altitude and thin air, Akshaye Khanna's oxygen levels dropped during the shoot. Despite the physical strain, Khanna maintained his professionalism and completed the scene.
Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, features Ranveer Singh in the lead role, along with Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Rakesh Bedi. The film has been a box office success, earning ₹126.25 crore in India so far. Akshaye Khanna's performance, particularly his improvised dance in the "FA9LA" sequence, has been widely praised, solidifying his portrayal of Rehman Dakait as a standout element of the film.
