Dhurandhar: Move Over Lord Bobby, Netizens Declare Akshaye Khanna the New Lord in Town; Call His Performance a Masterclass

The verdict is out, and the internet has officially found its new obsession! When Aditya Dhar's spy-thriller Dhurandhar hit the screens, all eyes were initially on the explosive combination of the director and Ranveer Singh. However, the narrative has shifted dramatically since the first show. Social media is currently buzzing with praise, not just for the lead, but for the man who reportedly owned every single frame—Akshaye Khanna. From being hailed as the soul of the movie to earning the title of the New Lord after Bobby Deol, Akshaye's portrayal of the antagonist has left the audience stunned.

Netizens are flooding social media platforms claiming that Akshaye's performance is nothing short of legendary, with one viral review perfectly summing up the sentiment: Ladies and gentlemen, we were not ready for this. After Lord Bobby, we have a new Lord in town... Lord Akshaye Khanna. Viewers are calling his portrayal of Rahman Dakait terrific, noting that he plays the role with chilling precision. His screen presence is described as electrifying, with fans stating that he is nothing short of phenomenal. As one enthusiastic user put it, the man is simply aura farming in each scene, commanding respect and attention without even trying.

The craze is so real that social media timelines are flooded with tributes to his character. One user shared a clip with a caption that echoes the sentiments of thousands: Had Gone To Theatre as Dhurandhar Fan And Came Out As Akshaye Khanna's Fan. The Absolute Goat. The demand for more of his character reached such a fever pitch that even the production house couldn't ignore it! Acknowledging the internet's obsession, Jio Studios officially dropped a special glimpse of Akshaye Khanna as Sher-E-Baloch, captioning it, You made it viral! So now it’s here.

You made it viral! So now it’s here, Sher-E-Baloch's absolute 'Bang-er'! 🔥

Book your tickets.
🔗 - https://t.co/cXj3M5DFbc#Dhurandhar Blazing In Cinemas Now!@RanveerOfficial #AkshayeKhanna @duttsanjay @ActorMadhavan @rampalarjun #SaraArjun @bolbedibol @AdityaDharFilms… pic.twitter.com/TFzUJeLYBi

— Jio Studios (@jiostudios) December 7, 2025

While Ranveer Singh is receiving love for his high-octane climax sequences, a significant portion of the audience feels that Akshaye dominates the rest of the runtime. Verified reviews suggest that Akshaye's performance is so commanding that he often makes other heavyweights look like side actors. One user wrote that while Ranveer delivers his beast mode performance only in the climax, Akshaye Khanna dominates the screen throughout. Some were even more critical of the film's structure, stating that the spotlight feels forced onto Ranveer Singh for no solid reason, implying that Akshaye was the natural scene-stealer who deserved the center stage.

It is not just about screen time; it is about the craft. Fans are calling his acting a Masterclass in subtlety and intensity. One review hilariously noted that Akshaye Khanna as Rahman Dakait wasn't acting; rather, Rahman Dakait's aatma (soul) decided to enter Akshaye when the word Action was shouted. Whether he smiles, speaks, or simply reacts, viewers feel he lifts the film to another level. Many believe that the entire film survives solely on his shoulders, with one user claiming that Akshaye turns in such a magnetic performance that every flaw in the film fades into the background.

Whether you liked the movie or found the director over-hyped, the consensus is that you simply cannot ignore Akshaye Khanna. He has delivered a performance that fans are demanding awards for, with some even wishing this story was an 8-episode series just to see more of him. It looks like the 90s heartthrob has officially entered his Villain Era supremacy.