Last Updated:December 10, 2025, 18:12 IST

While Akshaye Khanna won widespread recognition for his role in Chhaava and Dhurandhar this year, Bobby Deol cemented his fan base with The Ba***ds of Bollywood.

Akshaye Khanna is being praised highly for his performance in Dhurandhar.(Photo Credit: Instagram)

Akshaye Khanna is dominating headlines with his impressive performance in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. While some praised Akshaye’s villainous role in the film, others noted the actor scored a ‘Bobby Deol-style’ Jamal Kodu moment with the film’s hit Arabic track FA9LA.

Both Akshaye Khanna and Bobby Deol surprised fans with their standout performances this year. On one hand, Akshaye Khanna won widespread recognition for his role in Chhaava and Dhurandhar while on the other, Bobby Deol’s performance in The Ba***ds of Bollywood cemented his renewed fan base, earning him the title ‘Lord Bobby’.

Priyadarshan on Akshaye Khanna’s Performance

During an interview with Hindustan Times, Priyadarshan, who collaborated with Akshaye in multiple films, shared, “Look at Akshaye’s performance even in Drishyam 2. It’s not just about Gen Z; people have always loved him.”

He further added, “Earlier, PR and the media made an actor, but today people have their own opinions. You cannot close your eyes to that. People talking about him today means he was always a genuinely favourite artiste. Award shows and all ignored him, but I count him as one of the top five actors in the last 20 years.”

‘He Deserves More Success,’ Laxman Utekar on Akshaye Khanna

Laxman Utekar directed Akshaye Khanna in Chhaava earlier this year. Acknowledging the actor’s performance, he shared, “I always had Akshaye Khanna only in mind as Aurangzeb in Chhaava. The kind of performer he is, his physique… when we did his look test, it was magical.”

He continued, “The recognition he is getting now with Dhurandhar… he deserves more success than Chhaava and Dhurandhar.”

Ramesh Taurani is Thrilled With Bobby Deol’s Comeback

On the other hand, Ramesh Taurani, who co-produced Race 3, Bobby Deol’s comeback film in 2018, expressed his happiness following the actor’s return to the limelight. “Bobby was a star even before his debut film… I can’t describe the craze people had for him even before he launched. He’s not only good-looking but now a solid actor too,” Taurani added.

Trade Analyst Komal Nahta Believes It Is About ‘Getting The Right Role’

During an interview with Hindustan Times, popular trade analyst Komal Nahta reflected on both Akshaye Khanna and Bobby Deol’s comebacks and noted, “It’s all about getting that right role. Bobby had a small role in Animal, but it created a tremendous impact. Akshaye should keep signing more films and not retreat after Chhaava and now Dhurandhar.”

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