Few things excited Sanjay Gupta as much as the prospect of helming a riveting crime thriller. And the filmmaker had zeroed in on one such subject before his sudden death on October 30. mid-day has learnt that he was developing the screen adaptation of the true crime thriller, CIU: Criminals In Uniform, written by investigative journalists Dr Sanjay Singh and Rakesh Trivedi. Gupta, who would have made his web series debut with it, was planning it as an eight-part series.

Speaking to mid-day, Singh revealed that the filmmaker had approached Naseeruddin Shah, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, and Dia Mirza for the series.

“Sanjay Gupta held several meetings with us and had prepared an elaborate pitch deck. He was in discussions with Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Akshaye Khanna, Emraan Hashmi, Atul Kulkarni, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Ronit Bose Roy. His ambition was to create one of India’s most star-studded web series.”

Inspired by the 2021 Antilia bomb scare, CIU: Criminals In Uniform is a fictionalized telling of how the controversial head of Mumbai Police’s Crime Investigation Unit leads the probe after explosives are found in a vehicle parked outside the house of a wealthy business tycoon.

Singh added, “Sanjay believed the book had potential for a gripping web series. He understood the sensitivity of the subject.”

Gupta’s 32-year career was built on stylized crime thrillers and action dramas like Kaante (2002), Zinda (2006), Shootout At Wadala (2013), and Kaabil (2017). What distinguished him from other filmmakers, according to Singh, was that his stories were never only about the crime. “It was about the people, circumstances, hidden truths, and the larger story that the public had never been told.”

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Anil Kapoor as Commissioner, Mumbai Police; Naseeruddin Shah as a bureaucrat; Akshaye Khanna as Assistant Commissioner of Police; Emraan Hashmi as a senior inspector

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Sanjay Singh revealed that Sanjay Gupta was keen on revisiting the 1978 Ranga-Billa case, despite Prime Video’s ‘Raakh’ having recently explored the story.

He shared, “I’ve written a book on Ranga and Billa, and Sanjay was interested in bringing their story to the screen. When ‘Raakh’ came out, Sanjay felt that the makers had missed an opportunity to explore a much more complex crime story. He believed there was still tremendous potential to make a powerful and factually accurate web series on them”

(L-R) Parveez Shaikh, Abhishek Pathak, and Aamil Keeyan Khan. Pics/YouTube, By Special Arrangement

Big risk, big reward holds true for Drishyam The Conclusion. Writer-director Abhishek Pathak crafted an original story for the Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Jaideep Ahlawat-starrer, departing from the Malayalam franchise on which the first two instalments were based. Now, the win is for all to see as the suspense thriller’s threequel has reportedly grossed over Rs 300 crore in India. Aamil Keeyan Khan, who co-wrote the screenplay and wrote the dialogues, attributes its success to Pathak’s vision and Devgn’s faith in it.   

“Ajay sir stood behind us like a rock, supporting us in whatever we did. We narrated the first draft to him in April 2025, he loved it. After that, we made a lot of revisions and he was on board with everything,” recalled Khan of how they closed the story that began eight years ago when Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar and his family covered up an accidental murder. 

Besides not relying on the Malayalam Drishyam 3, the Hindi counterpart had another challenge — Akshaye Khanna walked out of the film a week before it rolled. The writers quickly reworked the script, and Pathak roped in Ahlawat. Easier said than done.

Khan recounted, “We had to set Jaideep sir’s character dynamics with other players, and we had to deliver in seven days! We wrote 100 drafts for some scenes. We even had 15-20 versions of the ending. It was a humongous challenge as people had seen the first two parts and we had to surprise them. A lot of [the script] was scrapped and rewritten in those seven days.”

One question remained constant as they shaped and reshaped the story: how dark would Vijay Salgaonkar turn to save his family? “Vijay is doing the wrong thing for the right cause. There were so many drafts where he has gone much darker and then we pulled ourselves back, thinking, ‘Is that really Vijay?’ We toyed with the idea of him going completely dark.”

Ghoom Ghoom from Mirzapur The Movie has become widely popular since the film’s release. But guess who had known the dance number’s potential before it was even shot? Ravi Kishan. According to the song’s choreographer Vijay Ganguly, the actor, who joined director Gurmmeet Singh’s franchise with the movie, was keen that the track become a rage like Akshaye Khanna’s FA9LA in Dhurandhar (2025) did.

Ganguly told mid-day, “When we were doing Ghoom Ghoom, Akshaye’s song had just been released and became a huge hit. Ravi sir told me that I had done a fantastic job in Dhurandhar and that we had an opportunity to do something like that in Mirzapur. He said, ‘Let’s create some magical stuff’. He made the steps trend so much that he made the track popular, instead of the other way around.”

Filming the number in the deserts of Jaisalmer with key members of the cast — Pankaj Tripathi, Kishan, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, and Sonal Chauhan — in the bitter cold was a challenge.

The choreographer added, “It had to have a Mehbooba Mehbooba [from Sholay] feel. I suggested shooting it in Mumbai, but Gurmmeet was keen to shoot it in a real location in Rajasthan.”

Filmmaker Priyadarshan reunites with actor Akshay Kumar for their upcoming film Haiwaan, also starring Saif Ali Khan, but the genre marks a shift for the duo known for their iconic comedies.

Talking about taking the different route, Priyadarshan says, “Films should not become repetitive. I believe that when you see films like Pad Man, Rustom, and all those films, you see Akshay Kumar is capable of doing other kinds of movies also, not only comedy and those films are successful. I was not planning to do this film with Akshay, but Akshay himself insisted that he has never played a psycho. I thought he was kidding, but he said I'm serious about it,” he says.

Having two actors of such stature together is a casting coup in today’s time and the filmmaker agrees it couldn’t have been possible in the actors of today’s generation.

“Yes, that is true. I have worked with Akshay and Govinda, Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna, but there were never any issues because there were no ego problems between them. They both knew that they have a lead role and they have enough meat for themselves. But the new generation is very insecure. They always want to know what the other person is doing. They don't want to know what they are doing,” he says.

Haiwaan marks Priyadarshan and Akshay’s ninth film together. Ask him about how their equation has evolved over the course of these films, and the filmmaker says, “It is about our trust in each other. He never questions me. He will just come to the shot and ask what you want me to do and just do it. I am also very careful about what I am doing with him. I think this is what has worked for both of us. He has got a blind belief in me, and it gives me the responsibility that I should not let him down.”

The film also becomes poignant for Priyadarshan to break an image as his name has become synonymous to the comedy genre.

“I started my career with serious films like Virasat (1997), after Hera Pheri (2000), this comedy brand came on my head. But at the same time, fortunately, I have been making serious movies too in the South. Something unusual is always attractive, so I thought, this time let me try something different. Haiwaan is not a dark film and there's enough for you to laugh in between too. But it is a very emotional film. I always prefer films for family, so a family can watch Haiwaan together too,” he ends.

Last week, Priyadarshan unveiled the first look of Haiwaan, showcasing Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in gritty avatars. After four back-to-back comedies, Kumar portrays a menacing antagonist in the movie. But what if we told you that the superstar wasn’t originally meant to be a part of Haiwaan? Priyadarshan revealed to mid-day that his original choice for the villain was Bobby Deol.

The filmmaker recalled, “When I narrated the film to Saif first, he asked me who would play the antagonist. I approached Bobby Deol, who wasn’t happy about his role, but I cannot blame him for that. I thought of Akshaye Khanna and told him that I wanted to narrate a story to him. He invited me over to meet him. I thought that if he refused, I would go to Suniel Shetty. [Before I met Akshaye], I mentioned the film to Akshay casually while shooting for Bhooth Bangla. After I narrated the story to him, he told me, ‘Why can’t I do the movie?’”

Priyadarshan hadn’t initially considered Kumar as he felt the role would go completely against the superstar’s current image of a humorous, happy-go-lucky guy. But the actor was certain that he wanted to bet on the role. The filmmaker added, “Akshay loved the character. While we were shooting, Saif told me, ‘By doing this role against me, Akshay has given me the best gift’.”

Comedy may be the filmmaker’s forte, but with Haiwaan, he is glad to shift gears. He said, “Some people have assumed Haiwaan is a comedy; it’s not. It’s about a cat-and-mouse game between the hunter and the hunted. I am returning to an action thriller after 16 years, and it’s one of the slickest movies I have ever made.”

For Dia Mirza Rekhi, 2026 is a special year. She marks 25 years as an actor, and was seen in Ikka with Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna and opposite Anil Kapoor in Alpha. She also has web series Operation Safed Sagar in the offing.

And it all started thanks to her co-star. “AK (Anil) is responsible for convincing me to become a part of films,” the 44-year-old reveals, adding, “He met me right after my Asia Pacific pageant (in 2000). He and Anupam Kher were very keen that I do the film that they were working on, and they were the ones who helped me get my first film.”

For Dia, starring opposite Anil “felt like a beautiful full circle moment”: “The first time I met him in the lobby of a hotel in Hyderabad, he had told me, “You have so much grace, you would be so beautiful on screen, you must become an actor’.”

Dia is also all praise for Sunny and Akshaye. “I’ve done some films with Akshaye’s father (late veteran Vinod Khanna) and we shared a very special bond, and I’ve known Rahul (Khanna, Akshaye’s brother). I’d actually approached Akshaye to act in a film that I was producing, but that didn’t work out. So, it was cool to finally work with him,” she shares.

Their film also featured a scene of her slapping Akshaye. “I was terrified, and then Sunny sir was quick to jump in and say, ‘Listen, you’re playing my wife, so you shouldn’t be scared’. And I was like, ‘Have you seen Khanna sa’ab’s fan following?’” she laughs, adding, “It’s only in the last eight years that I have been appreciated and my films have done ridiculously well at the box office. The last 25 years have been preparation for what is to come.”

For an actor who had relatively few lines in Dhurandhar, Saumya Tandon found herself at the centre of one of the franchise’s most discussed moments. As Ulfath Rehman, the wife of Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna), she portrayed much of the character’s grief, anger and resilience through silence rather than dialogue — a challenge she later revisited in Dhurandhar 2 The Revenge.

Ironically, what audiences remember most are the slaps. When told she has earned the unofficial title of Bollywood’s newest “Thappad Queen”, Saumya laughs and says, “I’ll take that as a compliment. But those scenes were never really about the slap. There was so much happening underneath — the emotions, the conflict, the pain. They were actually among the most difficult scenes I’ve done.”

She reveals that the physical action may have lasted only a moment, but the emotional build-up required far more work. “People remember the thappad, but for me it was everything before and after it. Har kisi ko thappad nahi milta hai... you should be privileged to get my thappad,” she adds.

One of those scenes involved Ranveer Singh and talking about that Saumya shares, “I really didn’t want to slap him. I kept hoping there would be some camera trick. But he kept saying, ‘Go for it.’ Finally, he picked up my hand and said, ‘Maar de.’ After that, there was no escaping it.”

Away from the intense world of Dhurandhar, Saumya is now looking ahead to a very different project with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya. The shift, she says, is part of a conscious effort to avoid being boxed into one kind of role.

“People have seen me in cheerful, bubbly characters. Then they saw me in a much more intense space. As an actor, I feel there is still a lot left to explore. I really want to do a romance film. I hope I get to play many different shades and keep surprising people,” she says.

Sure, the love that Sanjay Suri has been receiving for his performance in Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga has left him elated. Interestingly, it has also made the actor greedy for opportunities. “I don’t have much time left. I am 55! So, I better do more work,” he laughed.

What stopped him all these years? Over his 26-year career, the actor hasn’t been seen on screen as frequently as he would have liked. There is a reason for that, he stated.

“Throughout my career, the query has been ‘Why do we see less of you?’ My only answer would be that I felt underutilized. I would get a lot of offers [to play] a well-educated, well-to-do, smart, and suave guy. That’s where it ended. There would be nothing more to offer [in the roles]. So, there has been creative short-sightedness in imagining me,” explained Suri.

Hopefully, that will change. The actor believes that directors today prefer casting against type. He said, “Times have changed. For instance, someone did imagine Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait [in Dhurandhar, 2025], right? These directors don’t want run-of-the-mill [casting], which is exciting. So, I’m hoping for diverse opportunities to come my way. The slotting still happens, but a few of the directors as well as OTT entertainment have changed that.”

Put two powerhouse actors in a courtroom, arm them with a gripping story, and sparks are bound to fly. Director Siddharth P Malhotra has done just that with Netflix’s courtroom drama Ikka, reuniting Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna nearly three decades after Border (1997). The casting came at the right moment.

While Deol expanded his fan base with Gadar 2: The Katha Continues (2023) and Border 2, Khanna became one of the biggest talking points with Dhurandhar (2025). “They were simply the right actors for the story,” he shares.

Malhotra reveals that he approached Deol for the project almost a year-and-a-half before it materialised. “I told Sunny sir this is a script I want him to do and he liked it. When [the platform] came on board and heard the script, I went back to him and he said, ‘Great, let’s do this’.”

For Deol’s courtroom adversary, Malhotra had only one name in mind. “They asked me who I wanted for the antagonist and I said Akshaye Khanna,” he says, adding that the actor loved the script after reading it in one go.

Ikka centres on a respected lawyer, played by Deol, who is forced to defend a man he had previously helped convict. For Malhotra, the moral conflict is the story’s biggest draw. “The challenge of the script itself is the character’s moral dilemma. The lines between right and wrong and their perspectives are blurring. That’s what makes it interesting for me as a storyteller.”

The filmmaker deliberately avoided presenting Deol as the morally infallible hero. “I’ve seen him in Damini [1993]. Why do I have to give people Damini again? It’s fun to see him be emotionally correct even if he’s morally incorrect,” he smiles.

What’s next for Akshaye Khanna after the blockbuster Dhurandhar (2025)? Trust the actor to take a departure from mainstream Hindi actioners and try his hand at something new. That explains his maiden Telugu film, Mahakali, which also marks his first mythological superhero action movie. Khanna — who plays Asura guru Shukracharya, at odds with the protagonist essayed by Bhoomi Shetty — recently wrapped up his portions in the Puja Aparna Kolluru-directed movie.

It turns out the actor was drawn to the film’s ambitious world, more so to his character’s complexity. Excited about joining the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, he began shooting for Mahakali in May 2025.

A source told mid-day, “Choosy as ever, Akshaye agreed to play Asura guru Shukracharya as he was intrigued by the role. In Hindu mythology, he was the revered teacher of the Asuras and advised them in their battles against the gods. His primary role was to revive the dead demons, while Maa Kali’s role was to destroy the demon army. That put them on opposite sides of the conflict. Shukracharya is considered a knowledgeable sage rather than inherently evil. He is a misunderstood character in Indian scriptures, and Akshaye loved that complexity.”

The unit shot an extensive schedule from February to April this year. Now, they are shooting the last leg in Kolkata. “On May 9, the team filmed near the Dakshineswar Temple. Principal photography will be completed by July,” added the source.

Sequels, and then some more. That’s what Subhash Ghai is thinking of these days. Almost 27 years after Taal (1999) became a smash hit at the box office, the filmmaker revealed to mid-day that he is crafting its sequel.

Starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshaye Khanna, and Anil Kapoor, the popular musical told the story of a talented village singer who rises to stardom after being heartbroken. So, will the sequel take the story forward? “We cannot have the same actors of Taal today as they are older. So, an extension of the original story is out. But it will be a musical love story. I want fresh faces to play the lead roles,” he said.

Those hoping to see Rai in a cameo, at least, are in for disappointment. The filmmaker said, “Mukta Arts has never had these gimmicks of having stars as cameos in their movies. So, Akshaye, Aishwarya, and Anil will not be there in Taal 2. If we require star power, we can request anyone, but the character needs to be justified.”

Ghai has been writing the love story over the past few years. Even as he has developed its world, he is certain of not directing it. He stated, “I’d like to have a well-known director to helm it. We plan to announce Taal 2 by October.”

That isn’t the only sequel Ghai is considering. He is also developing the second part to his all-star action drama, Karma (1986). “The time has come when people want to see a story’s sequel. Like in Karma, what happened to Dr Dang or Baiju [Anupam Kher and Jackie Shroff’s characters respectively]? Karma 2 is next in the pipeline.”

Content creator-actor Raghav Sharma, who went viral for his mimicry of Akshaye Khanna, says his adoration for Khanna helped him ace the act.

“I have always adored his work. Be it Hulchul (2004), Hungama (2003), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Mere Baap Pehle Aap (2008), Tees Maar Khan (2010), and maybe that’s why I was able to crack him as a mimicry artist,” says the Jugaadistan (2022) actor.

While Raghav has not met Akshaye in person, he knows the actor is aware of his work: “I think Akshaye is aware of who I am. His brother Rahul Khanna has liked a couple of my mimicry videos, so I assume he has seen those videos as well.”

Asked what the content creator would say to Akshaye if they ever met, Raghav shares, “Just, don’t kill me (laughs). First of all, I will have my own fan moment. And then I will be sorry. Like ‘sorry maine aapko thoda sa, katora pehen ke (mimic kiya).’”

After years of steady perseverance, Anup Soni feels he is finally arriving at a phase he had long been working towards. The journey, he admits, required patience, resilience and the willingness to live with a strong image shaped by his long association with Crime Patrol.

He says, “I never felt the need to break the Crime Patrol image because I didn’t want to appear ungrateful to something that gave me so much love and credibility. When people said the image was very strong, I accepted that for them to envision me in a different light would take time. I was willing to wait and choose the kind of work I genuinely wanted to do. To stay creatively fulfilled during that phase, I returned to theatre, as it doesn’t demand that you live up to a fixed image.”

At this stage, Anup says he feels lighter and more assured, especially as meaningful opportunities are finally coming his way. He says, “There is such a crowd of actors today that only strong work stands out. You have to trust your instinct and choose wisely. I’m happy with the kind of work being offered to me now. It genuinely feels like a payoff for the patience I showed.”

Citing Akshaye Khanna as an example, he adds, “I feel extremely happy watching Akshaye’s journey. I have taught him acting and have done several classes with him. I’ve always admired his clarity of thought. He has experienced the journey of being a leading man, and what he is doing today is truly commendable. He has reached a stage where he is such a credible and dependable actor that you can cast him in any role. That kind of freedom as an actor is wonderful.”

On whether variety remains skewed towards stars, Anup is practical. “Complaining won’t change anything. The star system exists everywhere. My journey is my own, and my focus is simple. I have to keep working and let my performances speak. Sometimes, all it takes is one role that truly lands. There’s nothing more fulfilling than earning work through good work, and I finally feel I’m seeing the results of that patience now,” he says.

Most wouldn’t associate a viral dance number with Akshaye Khanna. Yet, the actor’s Arabic track, FA9LA, from Dhurandhar (2025) became an internet sensation. Now that filmmaker Aditya Dhar and leading man Ranveer Singh are readying Dhurandhar The Revenge for release, are they feeling the pressure of delivering another chartbuster? Well, from what we’ve heard, a track is already lined up, this one featuring Singh when his character is declared the new Sher-e-Baloch.

mid-day has exclusively learnt that the song was filmed just a day before Khanna’s FA9LA was, in Ladakh.

A source revealed, “After Akshaye’s character Rehman Dakait is killed in Dhurandhar, the Sher-e-Baloch title is given to Ranveer’s Hamza in the sequel. The song is a celebration of his ascension. Aditya shot Ranveer’s number on the same set in Ladakh. He decided to shoot the two songs back-to-back as the set was already standing, and given the challenging climatic conditions, it didn’t make sense to return to Ladakh later only for a song.”

So, will we see Singh shake a leg in the number, like Khanna? Not a chance. The source further explained, “Rehman Dakait was a ruthless but flamboyant character, while Hamza is shown as a serious, quiet, and aggressive character with a personal mission. So, Aditya felt his character wouldn’t let loose like this. While the background dancers perform, Hamza isn’t seen joining them.”

Vijay Ganguly has choreographed the number.

Mumbai: Men with dad bodies, crow feet and grey hair around balding pates are barrelling the cinema box office with gravitas, character and depth. They are also charging hefty premiums while crashing the youngsters' rave in cinema halls and OTT platforms. Films starring mature actors aged 50-70 have recorded impressive box-office collections across Hindi and southern cinema reflecting audiences' growing preference for acting skills and character depth over stardom hype and social media gimmicks, leading producers and distributors told ET. The "second innings" of these actors have turned the match.

In recent years, mature actors such as Sunny Deol (68), Chiranjeevi (70), Nandamuri Balakrishna (65), Venkatesh (65) and Akshaye Khanna (50) have either delivered solo hits or contribute meaningfully to noteworthy hits, giving a run for the money to younger peers.

Notably, these mature actors today are charging fees in the Rs. 15-50 crore range, considerably higher than Rs. 2-10 crore they charged at the prime of their careers, trade analysts said.

Films such as Border 2 (India collection: Rs. 335.7 crore), Dhurandhar (India collection: Rs. 1,004 crore), Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu (India collection: Rs. 245 crore), Daaku Maharaaj (India collection: Rs. 108 crore) and Sankranthiki Vasthunam (India collection: Rs. 225 crore) are prominent successes of these mature actors.

"It is impressive that films of mature actors are recording above Rs. 100 crore at the box office almost consistently. After Gadar 2 and Jaat, Sunny Deol delivered another winner in Border 2 at the age of 68 in today's highly unpredictable times," explained Shaaminder Malik, film distributor and trade analyst.

Producers attribute the captivating charisma of these long-established stars as a fundamental reason for their success.

"Across languages, actors in their 50s and above are delivering extraordinary performances. Films today demand larger-than-life, deeply rooted Indian characters. These mature actors who have distinct personalities are showcasing these elements with conviction and gravitas. Audiences are returning to theatres because these actors bring in certain authenticity," said Sunil Bohra, co-founder, Bohra Bros.

These actors have long-established connections with multiple generations of audiences, which works for them.

"These stars attract a wide and multi-generational audience. In a time when younger actors are over-exposed across platforms, the familiarity, trust and legacy of these mature stars work in their favour," shared Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder and director, Karmic Films.

He said that today's audiences are less focused on actors' age. They value depth of talent, presence, nuances, and suitability for roles.

Producers said that the emergence of credible larger-than-life stories such as Dhurandhar have worked in favour of these stars.

"The wave seems to have shifted from south to Hindi film industry. Directors in Hindi film industry are making credible larger-than-life films. These films are working as audiences are responding to them. These mature actors are talented. Today, the difference is they are getting the right roles which exploit their talent," explained producer Rajesh R Nair.

These stars' flexibility in accepting roles which are beyond their 'set image', opportunities from streaming platforms, and almost constant social media buzz around them have worked for these stars, producers said.

(L-R) Dhanush and Rajkumar Periasamy

After the critical acclaim of Amaran (2024), director Rajkumar Periasamy was all set to make his much-anticipated Hindi directorial debut. But the project has now hit a temporary roadblock. According to sources close to the development, the pan-India film — slated to roll in 2025 — has been put on hold. Backed by T-Series, the film had Kartik Aaryan and Akshaye Khanna as the frontrunners for the lead roles. However, Aaryan schedule has reportedly led to delays.

A source tells mid-day, “Kartik’s dates just don’t align anymore. He’s currently neck-deep in Naagzilla, and then will move straight to Kabir Khan’s next. There’s practically no window for Rajkumar’s film this year.”

The yet-untitled film requires “long, uninterrupted schedules”. “With actors unavailable for the foreseeable future, the team felt it was wiser to pause rather than rush or go into a recasting,” adds another source.

With his Hindi debut on hold, Periasamy is now reportedly shifting focus to a different project — a Tamil feature with South star Dhanush — before revisiting his Bollywood plans. “Rajkumar has another strong script ready and is moving ahead with that for now. The Hindi film hasn’t been shelved, it’s just delayed,” the insider tells us.

Post Dhurandhar’s success, buzz is at an all-time high around actor Akshaye Khanna’s upcoming slate of films. His portrayal of Rehman Dakait and his iconic dance steps won him massive popularity, fuelling constant speculation about what he will choose next. And the latest one suggests his return to the popular Race franchise.

The fourth instalment in the action-thriller franchise is currently in the works. And it was speculated that Akshaye and Saif Ali Khan, the original leads of Race, would return. However, it’s not true. Producer Ramesh Taurani clarifies, “No, we have not approached Akshaye. There was no scope at all.”

Asked if there is a thought to somehow rework the plot to get him back, he maintains, “There is no thought about getting him. His character gets into an accident in the first movie, his track ended there, and it will remain at that.”

When we mention if that means Sidharth Malhotra and Saif Ali Khan are confirmed to star, he refutes that as well, “No cast has been finalized till now. The work on the script is on.”

Race 2 (2013) had roped in John Abraham as the antagonist, while Race 3 (2018) had removed Saif and brought in Salman Khan in the lead role.

After nearly 15 years of navigating auditions, actor Danish Pandor is basking in widespread recognition for his role as gangster Uzair Baloch in Dhurandhar (2025).

The 38-year-old credits the “overwhelming” appreciation in part to his co-stars Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna for fostering an inspiring atmosphere on set. “Ranveer is a rare actor who allows others to shine. His only focus is how to make a scene better. He comes to set completely in character. You get inspired watching him work,” he shares, adding, “Akshaye is a man of very few words. He sits quietly, observes everything, and when the camera rolls, he transforms. It taught me how much acting is about listening and absorbing; it’s an experience no acting school can give.”

The film has courted controversy by a section terming it a ‘propaganda film’ and has been banned in the Middle East. But Danish doesn’t let the criticism weigh him down: “Viewers are intelligent enough to decide what they want to take from it. If you keep focusing on the negative aspects, you won’t be able to move forward. You take what is good and move ahead with a pinch of salt.”

In an unpredictable industry, the actor is now focused on “proving himself again and again”. Recalling a particularly disheartening experience, he says, “The director loved my audition and a contract was sent over to me. Months passed as I waited for shooting to begin, when I realised the movie had been made with someone else. What do you do in that situation? You can’t fight it. You just move on.”

After actor Akshaye Khanna’s dance to Flipperachi’s track FA9LA from the movie went viral in India, the Bahraini rapper has announced a tour here. He posted on Instagram on Saturday night, “First India show date announced! We’re excited to be in Bengaluru on March 14 at @un40fam! More dates to be added soon. Which city should we stop in? Drop your city in the comments! (sic)”

The rapper, whose real name is Hussam Aseem, had earlier told HT City in an interview, “I’m overwhelmed and grateful for all the love FA9LA has been getting everywhere, but specifically in India. It’s another level when people vibe to your song at this scale. My team is working on multiple performance and collaboration projects. I’m very excited to perform live in India soon.”

In an industry where relationships can turn seasonal, filmmaker Priyadarshan and Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar have kept their bond steady for over 25 years. The veteran filmmaker, who worked with Dhar long before the latter’s glory days, gets nostalgic about their journey — and doesn’t hide how “proud” he feels about his former student.

“Do you know who wrote the dialogues for the Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna-starrer Aakrosh (2010)? It was Aditya. He also wrote the dialogues for Ajay, Anil Kapoor, and Kangana Ranaut-starrer Tezz (2012),” shares Priyadarshan, who worked with Dhar for three years.

“He is one of my best disciples and assistants I’ve ever had. Aditya is one of my loyal boys; he takes my blessings for everything,” smiles the senior director, adding that he recently watched the Ranveer Singh and Khanna-starrer, and “loved it.”

In 2006, it was Aakrosh’s screenplay writer Robin Bhatt — who wrote it with Akash Khurana — who introduced Dhar to Priyadarshan. “Aditya [became my] assistant director. He also sat on the script with me,” remembers the filmmaker.

“It was during the shoot of Tezz in Scotland that Aditya told me that he was a budding cricketer, in the under-19 team, but he didn’t get in because the son of a top Indian cricketer beat him to it. [Seeing his] depressed state, his friends took him to watch my film Gardish [1993]. That day he decided to quit cricket and become a filmmaker.”

Priyadarshan says Dhar still gives him the same respect. During the shoot of Bhooth Bangla, Dhar dropped by the sets to show him the trailer of Dhurandhar. “That’s the kind of relationship I share with him — a guru and shishya.”

Recalling how Dhar, despite writing a couple of scripts that became big hits, “never got his due credit because the directors took his research, hard work, and talent but kept him aside”, he says, “I am very proud of him; he has made it so big.” 

“In my first film with Akshaye Khanna, ‘Doli Saja Ke Rakhna’ [1998], everybody had discouraged me from signing him on. They said he is difficult and moody. But I fell in love with him from the first film itself. I never found him difficult. If I called him at 5 am, he would be there on time. He is a darling and we’ve never had a bitter moment together in [the six films we did]. He is least bothered by criticism.”