In the high-octane world of Bollywood blockbusters, where smartphones often dominate downtime between shots, veteran actor Akshaye Khanna stands out for his old-school discipline. Co-star Danish Pandor, who shared screen space with him as Uzair Baloch in the smash-hit Dhurandhar, has opened up about Khanna’s intensely focused approach to work—one that leaves little room for distractions or small talk.
Pandor, speaking in recent interviews, painted a picture of a co-actor who arrives fully committed. “He doesn’t even sit with his phone on a set,” Pandor revealed. Instead, Khanna chooses a quiet corner, observes the location, studies the scene, and stays locked in his zone. “He sits quietly, keeps to himself, and thinks about his performance,” the younger actor added. This isn’t aloofness or attitude—it’s deliberate preparation. Pandor described it as almost meditative: no phone, no chatter, just total absorption. When the camera rolls, Khanna transforms completely into his character, Rehman Dakait, the scene-stealing Baloch gang leader whose viral Fa9la hook step and intense entry sequence continue to dominate social media reels even months after the film’s December 2025 release.
Far from the “difficult” label that has followed Khanna for years, Pandor insisted the senior actor is warm and approachable. “He treats you very nicely. He’s very receptive as a person. It’s true that he doesn’t speak much, but if you ask him anything, he’s very responsive,” he clarified. “He’s an amazing human being… but yes, there’s a zone that he lives in when he’s on a film set.” Pandor stressed that Khanna’s silence is simply part of his craft, not rudeness
This laser-sharp focus paid off spectacularly. Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, crossed ₹1,300 crore worldwide, turning Khanna’s performance into a career resurgence. As Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues its run in theatres, Pandor revealed how Khanna handles the frenzy: he quietly slips away to his bungalow in Alibaug. “Isn’t that the best thing one can do?” Pandor said. “Things like these keep him grounded. The moment you feel that you’re getting overwhelmed, you should just start taking it easy.” Khanna stays aware of the buzz but doesn’t chase it on social media, preferring real-life detachment over digital validation.
Pandor, who has spoken about his own 15-year struggle before landing the role, called the experience humbling. Watching Khanna work taught him a simple yet powerful lesson: keep distractions at bay, stay in the moment, and deliver your best when it counts. In an industry where constant connectivity is the norm, Khanna’s no-phone, low-talk policy feels like a quiet rebellion—and a masterclass in professionalism.
As Dhurandhar fans keep celebrating Rehman Dakait’s larger-than-life energy, Pandor’s insights remind us why Khanna’s performances hit so hard: they come from deep, uninterrupted focus. In a noisy world, sometimes the most powerful presence is the one that chooses silence.