Akshaye Khanna, recognized for his various performances in unusual films, turns 49 on Match 28.
Akshaye Khanna has carved out a niche for himself in his 27-year-old acting career through unusual decisions. The actor has set a standard with his groundbreaking films and creativity. Despite appearing in fewer films, Akshaye has managed to establish a distinct brand in Bollywood against fierce competition. Here are some of his performances that demonstrate his willingness to experiment with cinema in a variety of genres. (Also read: When Akshaye Khanna said he’d never work with father Vinod Khanna)
Onscreen, Akshaye as Manav provided a fresh take on rebellious, unconditional, unselfish, and sacrificing love. While Shah Rukh Khan’s virtuous Raj Malhotra attempts to persuade Kajol, aka Simran’s father, Manav in Taal does not believe in conflict. When the protagonist in Subhash Ghai’s romance-musical recognizes Mansi’s reluctance, represented by Aishwarya Rai, he goes away without saying anything negative. In an era where cancel culture and toxicity are exalted in popular media, Manav has aged nicely as an excellent green flag. Akshaye expertly conveyed his character’s passion, sensitivity, sadness, and compassion. Akshaye portrays an unusual perspective on relationships that lacks machoism. A must-see for romantic movie fans.
Akshaye once again raised the standard with his portrayal of Siddharth Sinha or Sid, who became a cult figure among millenials and Generation Z. Akshaye’s portrayal of the no-nonsense, smart, caring, yet fun-loving Sid struck a chord with the young audience. Farhan Akhtar’s aim to bring a character rarely explored by filmmakers was validated by Akshaye’s acting ability. For those who are unaware, the actor was originally cast as Aakash, with Hrithik Roshan being the original pick for Sid. Aamir Khan had been signed to play Sameer.
However, when Hrithik declined the role, the cast shifted, and a new cinematic wave emerged. In traditional films about college mates, the male characters were supposed to be loud, aggressive, goofy, and superhuman. Akshaye’s Sidharth created the story of a genuine unrequited love with a generational divide. The actor delivered a profound performance that once again demonstrated his ability to portray complicated human emotions.
Akshaye played the part of Mahatma Gandhi’s eldest son, Harilal Gandhi. Darshan Jariwala plays Mahatma Gandhi in the Feroz Abbas Khan-directed film. The film was based on the biography Harilal Gandhi: A Life by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal. Feroz previously directed the drama Mahatma vs. Gandhi, which was based from Dinkar Joshi’s Gujarati novel Prakash no Padchhayo. Anil Kapoor’s epic drama celebrated Akshaye’s energy and flexibility. The actor delivered his best performance in the conflict sequences between Harilal and the nation’s father.
Akshaye’s ability to get inside the character’s skin adds a much-needed level of participation to some of the most intense scenes. A must-watch for film students.
Akshaye Khanna plays Sanjaya Baru, an Indian political pundit and policy analyst, in the biopic about former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Sanjaya served as Dr. Manmohan Singh’s media advisor and principal spokesperson (PMO). The title of the film directed by Sanjay Ratnakar Gutte is based on the former’s novel. Although Anupam Kher played the major character, Akshaye’s acting was also praised in the political drama. His on-screen friendship with Anupam was evident in both sad and comedic occasions. Akshaye’s small nuances add a lot of conviction to his performance.
Akshaye plays Tarun Saluja, an ambitious lawyer who is defending the case of a filmmaker accused of rape. In the film, Akshaye’s customer (Rahul Bhat) is accused of rape by an assistant costume designer. Tarun meets his former trainee Hiral Gandhi, also known as Richa Chadha, who is fighting the victim’s case. Many harsh realities about law and social justice are revealed in a surprising turn of events as the court hearings continue. Akshaye played a grey-skinned character with maximum conviction in a unique film about a delicate subject. However, his acting abilities are impeccable, causing spectators to praise his talent rather than judge his character.
Akshaye portrayed Inspector General of Police Tarun Ahlawat in the Abhishek Pathak-directed film. Despite the presence of Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Shriya Saran, Akshaye hit the target with his artistic prowess. His questioning scenes with Ajay Devgn demonstrate his ability to seamlessly dig into the character’s psyche. Although Tarun contains shades of darkness, Akshaye once again captivates spectators with his intensity and language delivery. The actor delivers a convincing performance as the vicious cop, perfectly complementing Tabu and Ajay.
