Akshay Kumar has responded to a viral meme connecting his film Tees Maar Khan with Akshaye Khanna's performance in the recently released Dhurandhar. Social media has been abuzz with praise for Akshaye Khanna's portrayal of Rehman Dakait, a Pakistani gangster, in Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar. Some fans have jokingly credited Akshay Kumar for Akshaye's success, referencing a meme from their 2010 film Tees Maar Khan.

In Tees Maar Khan, Akshaye Khanna plays Aatish Kapoor, an actor obsessed with winning an Oscar. Akshay Kumar's character in the film convinces Kapoor that a fake film will help him achieve his dream. An X user shared a meme from Tees Maar Khan, writing, "Thank you director saab, for giving the nation such an amazing actor," referring to Kumar as the director.

Akshay Kumar responded to the meme with humility, quote-tweeting it and writing, "Kabhi ghamand nahi kiya bhai…kabhi ghamand nahi kiya," which translates to "Never been arrogant, brother…never been arrogant".

Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, is an espionage thriller set against the backdrop of real historical tragedies and covert operations. The film features Ranveer Singh as Hamza Ali Mazhari, with Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Baloch aka Dakait. The film delves into the complexities of Pakistan's political landscape and its connection to terrorism. Dhurandhar is also inspired by real-life events, presenting a fictionalized account of India's fight against terror operations in Pakistan.

Akshaye Khanna's performance in Dhurandhar has been widely lauded by critics and audiences alike. Many viewers have praised his intense and nuanced portrayal of the character, with some saying he "outshone" even the main lead, Ranveer Singh. Some reviews highlight Khanna's ability to command the screen with his silences and intense presence.

Farah Khan, who directed Tees Maar Khan, also commented on Akshaye Khanna's performance in Dhurandhar, jokingly stating that he "truly deserves an Oscar". She shared a fan-edited reel on Instagram that juxtaposed scenes from Dhurandhar with moments from Tees Maar Khan, further highlighting the renewed attention on their past collaboration.

Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its release, Tees Maar Khan has gained a cult following over the years. The film is remembered for Katrina Kaif's dance number "Sheila Ki Jawani" and Akshaye Khanna's portrayal of the Oscar-obsessed superstar. Some critics at the time praised Akshaye Khanna's performance as the only exaggeration that seemed to work in the film.

Dhurandhar is planned to be a two part film, with the second installment scheduled to release in March 2026.