In a move that has sent shockwaves through the fandom, Akshaye Khanna is reportedly returning to the world of Dhurandhar. While his character, the menacing Lyari gangster Rehman Dakait, met a brutal end in the first film, new reports suggest that director Aditya Dhar isn’t finished with the character just yet.
According to a recent report, Akshaye Khanna is slated for a special one-week shoot for the sequel, Dhurandhar 2. Rather than a miraculous resurrection, the makers plan to utilize this time to delve into Rehman’s backstory, providing much-needed depth to his transformation and his complex relationship with Ranveer Singh’s character, Jaskirat Singh Rangi (aka Hamza).
The “Rahman Dakait” Phenomenon
Akshaye Khanna’s performance has been hailed as one of the finest of his career, with his improvised dance to Flipperachi’s song “FA9LA” becoming a viral sensation.
- Fan Reaction: News of his return has been met with massive excitement, with fans on Reddit and X calling for even more screen time for the “brooding kaisa-style” villain.
- The “Jaskirat to Hamza” Shift: While the first part established the undercover mission, Dhurandhar 2 will focus on Ranveer Singh’s full ascent into the criminal underworld of Lyari, where Rehman’s legacy will reportedly serve as a haunting backdrop.
Box Office Update: ‘Dhurandhar’ Still Unstoppable
As of Day 41 (January 14, 2026), Dhurandhar continues to defy the laws of box office gravity:
- Domestic Net: Standing at a colossal ₹811.79 crore (India Net), it is officially the highest-grossing Hindi film in history.
- Worldwide Gross: The film has reached ₹1265.50 crore, currently sitting as the 4th highest-grossing Indian film of all time globally.
- Longevity: Even in its 6th week, the film recorded a Day 40 collection of ₹2.6 crore, shattering the sustain-records previously held by Pushpa 2 and Baahubali 2.
The Great Clash: ‘Dhurandhar 2’ vs ‘Toxic’
The industry is bracing for a “Barbenheimer-style” event on March 19, 2026 (Eid).
- Dhurandhar 2: Riding on the momentum of Part 1, the sequel is expected to have one of the biggest openings in Indian cinema.
- Toxic: Starring Yash (of KGF fame) as “Raya,” the teaser released on January 8 received a massive but polarized response. While fans loved Yash’s dark swag, a controversial intimate scene in a cemetery led to the actress, Beatriz Taufenbach, deactivating her social media due to online backlash.
Upcoming Timeline
| Event | Date |
| Dhurandhar 2 Teaser Release | Expected late January 2026 |
| Akshaye Khanna’s Shoot Wrap | End of January 2026 |
| Global Release Date | March 19, 2026 |