The recently released film Dhurandhar has captured audience attention, not only for its scale, performances, and drama, but also for an unexpected viral sensation: the "Fa9la" song sequence featuring Akshaye Khanna. Choreographer Vijay Ganguly revealed that Khanna's entry scene, including his dance, was filmed in a single take.
The "Fa9la" track marks the entry of Khanna's character, Rehman Dakait, and has gained immense popularity across social media and with theatre audiences. In the scene, Rehman Dakait steps out of his car, walks into a charged celebration, breaks into dance, and is eventually honored with a turban. This particular moment has become a standout in the film.
Ganguly shared that the idea for Khanna to dance during his entry came from the actor himself. Khanna suggested the idea to director Aditya Dhar just before filming. According to Ganguly, "Akshaye told film director Aditya Dhar that when he would enter the venue, he would dance,". "Then the camera rolled, and he did what you see in the video. That was one take. That's it. It was all impromptu. Everything was last-minute. We honestly never expected it to become this big". The choreographer was surprised by the sequence's viral success, considering its simplicity. "I still can't digest that Fa9la is a hit," Ganguly admitted. "It's literally a scene where he enters, sits, and gets coronated... And that was the most effortless thing we did".
Ganguly praised Khanna's dedication to his character, noting that the actor remains in character throughout the filming process. “Once he's in the middle of a take, he's completely in his zone,” Ganguly said. He added that Khanna "doesn't go to the van, he doesn't wander around" and is "always in character". Ganguly described Khanna as a quiet person who communicates volumes through his preparation and presence on set. According to Ganguly, Khanna doesn't retreat to his vanity van or disengage between shots, but stays immersed in his character, observing everything around him. "When the shot is ready, he's ready. You can see how seriously he takes his work. It's amazing to witness,” he said.
The "Fa9la" sequence was filmed in Ladakh, which presented unique challenges due to the low oxygen levels. The crew arrived days in advance to acclimatize. Khanna arrived a day before his shoot and completed the song sequence without difficulty. However, his oxygen levels dipped slightly during lunch. Despite concerns, Khanna returned to the set with an oxygen mask and cylinder, inspiring the entire crew with his commitment.
Dhurandhar is reportedly inspired by real-life events, offering audiences insights into the India-Pakistan conflict.
