Can one actor truly take credit for another’s success? This question has sparked a fascinating debate among Bollywood fans, especially after Akshaye Khanna’s stellar performance in Dhurandhar left audiences in awe. But here’s where it gets controversial: many are crediting Akshay Kumar for ‘discovering’ Akshaye, and the internet can’t stop talking about it. Let’s dive into the story behind this viral conversation.
Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has been nothing short of a sensation. His magnetic presence, intense expressions, and viral dance to the Arabic track FA9LA by Bahrainian rapper Flipperachi have become the talk of the town. The spy action thriller, which also stars Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and R Madhavan, has reignited interest in Akshaye’s past work, with fans digging up old clips to celebrate his talent. But this is the part most people miss: some are attributing Akshaye’s success to none other than his Tees Maar Khan (2010) co-star, Akshay Kumar.
To understand why, let’s rewind to Farah Khan’s 2010 comedy. In Tees Maar Khan, Akshay Kumar plays a con-man who pretends to be a filmmaker and approaches Akshaye Khanna for a project. In a memorable scene, Kumar showers Khanna with praise, calling him a superstar and even suggesting he deserves an Oscar. Fast forward to 2025, and fans are sharing snippets of this scene on social media, thanking Akshay for ‘discovering’ Akshaye. Bold claim, right? Well, Akshay Kumar himself has now weighed in.
Responding to a tweet that read, ‘Thank you director saab, for giving the nation such an amazing actor,’ Akshay tweeted with humility: ‘Kabhi ghamand nahi kiya bhai… kabhi ghamand nahi kiya 😜.’ (I’ve never been proud, brother… never been proud.) His response has since gone viral, with fans praising his modesty. One Reddit user even quipped, ‘Ye Oscar type aise hi hote hai yaar…. just look at him,’ while another declared, ‘Tees Maar Khan was iconic 🤣 love the reference.’ The conversation has even sparked calls for a Tees Maar Khan sequel, with fans dubbing the duo as the ‘GOAT DUO.’
Earlier this week, Akshay Kumar also reviewed Dhurandhar, tweeting, ‘Watched Dhurandhar and I’m blown away. What a gripping tale and you’ve simply nailed it @AdityaDharFilms. We need our stories to be told in a hard-hitting way, and I’m so glad the audiences are giving the film all the love it deserves. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.’
But here’s the real question: Is it fair to credit Akshay Kumar for Akshaye Khanna’s success? While Akshay’s early recognition of Akshaye’s talent is undeniable, Akshaye’s journey to stardom is undoubtedly his own. And this is the part most people miss—talent like Akshaye’s doesn’t need ‘discovery’; it demands recognition. What do you think? Is Akshay’s humility a refreshing take, or does this narrative overshadow Akshaye’s hard work? Let’s debate in the comments!
