Even after a month in theatres, “Dhurandhar” continues to dominate the box office. While Akshaye Khanna’s powerful performance as Rehman Dakait has been widely celebrated, actor Naveen Kaushik, who played Khanna’s close aide in the film, feels that Ranveer Singh’s extraordinary craft has not received the appreciation it truly deserves.
In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Naveen shared insights into the contrasting working styles of both actors and how their commitment to their roles shaped the film’s atmosphere on set.
Akshaye Khanna Stayed Immersed In His Character
Naveen revealed that Akshaye Khanna maintained a deliberate emotional and physical distance from the cast to stay true to his role.
“On set, Ranveer Singh was always friendly and warm, whereas Akshaye sir preferred to remain quiet and keep some distance because he was deeply absorbed in his character,” he shared.
He added that the gang-like chemistry seen on screen extended off screen too.
“The group would always be together, joking and bonding, while Rehman Dakait would always be seated slightly apart, observing silently — just like his character in the film,” Naveen recalled.
Clarifying that Akshaye wasn’t aloof in an unpleasant way, he said, “If we spoke to him, he was extremely warm. But once the interaction ended, he would retreat back into his zone. He was constantly focused on his role.”
Ranveer Singh’s Energy vs Hamza’s Restraint
Talking about Ranveer Singh, Naveen highlighted the stark difference between the actor’s real-life personality and his calm on-screen character, Hamza.
“Ranveer is pure energy. He greets everyone, keeps the environment alive, and doesn’t like seeing anyone idle,” he said.
However, he also praised Ranveer’s discipline and emotional maturity.
“Despite being so energetic, Ranveer could instantly switch into stillness when the cameras rolled. He never carried any ‘superstar attitude’. His curiosity was childlike, and his professionalism was extraordinary,” Naveen added.
“Ranveer Singh Did Not Get His Due”
Naveen feels that while Akshaye Khanna’s brilliant performance deserves all the praise it’s getting, Ranveer Singh’s effort has been unfairly overshadowed.
“It’s difficult for someone as naturally energetic as Ranveer to suppress all that energy and perform such a controlled character. The nuances he brought—his voice, his restraint—were extraordinary,” he said.
Referring to the much-talked-about FA9LA sequence, Naveen noted,
“In that scene, everyone is dancing, but Ranveer stands still. That level of restraint requires incredible discipline.”
He concluded by praising Ranveer’s humility:
“Ranveer never tried to steal attention. His character was intentionally underplayed. A lesser secure actor might have demanded more limelight, but Ranveer allowed others to shine. That’s true confidence.”
With “Dhurandhar” continuing its strong theatrical run, excitement is already building for its sequel, scheduled to release on March 19, 2026.