Akshaye Khanna, known for his selective approach to films, initially turned down the role of Rehman Dakait in Aditya Dhar's blockbuster spy action thriller 'Dhurandhar.' This revelation came from casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who recounted the challenging process of convincing the actor. According to Chhabra, when he first approached Khanna with the offer, the actor's immediate reaction was to scold him, questioning, 'Pagal ho gaya hai kya?' (Have you gone crazy?). Khanna, known for his private nature and living away from Mumbai's central film circuit, was reportedly hesitant to even hear the script. Despite the initial resistance, Chhabra persisted, urging Khanna to at least listen to the narration. This led to an unexpectedly long, four-hour session where Khanna, Chhabra, and director Aditya Dhar discussed the script. Khanna reportedly listened quietly, smoking intermittently, before finally breaking the silence with an enthusiastic, 'F**k, it's very good. Bada maza aayega.' (It's very good. This is going to be so much fun.). Even after this positive response, a period of uncertainty followed, but Khanna eventually called to confirm his commitment, stating, 'Let's do it, bro.'. Khanna's portrayal of the menacing Rehman Dakait in 'Dhurandhar' received widespread critical and audience acclaim, often being highlighted as one of the film's most memorable elements, even overshadowing lead star Ranveer Singh for many. The film itself was a massive success, released on December 5, 2025, and quickly became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, collecting over ₹1,200 crore worldwide. This anecdote underscores the behind-the-scenes efforts involved in bringing such impactful performances to the screen.