In a film packed with heavyweights like Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, it is the notoriously elusive Akshaye Khanna who has the internet buzzing.
Aditya Dhar’s latest spy-thriller, Dhurandhar (released December 5, 2025), has been winning hearts at the box office, but one specific moment has gone viral: Akshaye Khanna’s swagger-filled entry in the song Fa9la. Playing the menacing gangster Rehman Dakait, Akshaye breaks into a spontaneous, fluid dance that fans can’t stop sharing.
Now, the film’s choreographer, Vijay Ganguly, has revealed that this iconic moment wasn’t rehearsed for days—it was an impromptu, one-take wonder performed under grueling conditions.
“It Was All Impromptu”: Vijay Ganguly Reveals the Backstory
Speaking in a recent interview, National Award-winning choreographer Vijay Ganguly opened up about how the Fa9la sequence came to life. Surprisingly, the script didn’t call for Akshaye to dance at all.
The Original Plan: The script simply required Akshaye’s character, Rehman, to make a grand entry, walk through a crowd of dancers, and sit on his throne like a stoic crime lord.
The Improvisation: On the day of the shoot, Akshaye felt the pulse of the high-energy track (by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi) and the vibe of the set.
- The Request: Just before the cameras rolled, Akshaye turned to director Aditya Dhar and asked, “Can I dance?”
- The Green Light: A surprised Aditya replied, “Do whatever you feel like doing.”
- The Magic: As the music started, Akshaye didn’t just walk; he grooved. He created the steps on the spot, interacting with the background dancers and embodying the arrogance of his character.
Vijay Ganguly shared: “That was one take. That’s it. It was all impromptu. Everything was last-minute. We honestly never expected it to become this big.”
Battling Low Oxygen in Ladakh: The Unseen Struggle
While the on-screen moves looked effortless, the reality behind the camera was physically punishing. The song was shot in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh, where oxygen levels are dangerously low.
The Health Scare: Vijay Ganguly revealed that Akshaye was struggling with the altitude during the shoot.
- Oxygen Support: The actor had to keep a small oxygen cylinder with him on set.
- The Routine: After every single shot, Akshaye’s oxygen levels would drop, and he would have to put on an oxygen mask to stabilize his breathing.
- The Dedication: Despite the breathlessness and physical strain, Akshaye refused to cut the flow. He performed the high-energy sequence “unflinchingly” and completed the work before heading home.
“He Doesn’t Go to the Van”: Akshaye’s Process
Akshaye Khanna is known for being a “director’s actor,” and Ganguly’s comments further cement that reputation. The choreographer praised Akshaye’s intense focus, noting that he doesn’t behave like a typical star on set.
“Once he’s in the middle of a take, he’s completely in his zone. He doesn’t go to the van, he doesn’t wander around… he is always in character.”
This dedication is visible in the final product. Critics have hailed his performance as Rehman Dakait (modeled after the real-life Lyari gangster) as one of the best villain acts of 2025, with many drawing parallels to the effortless charisma of his late father, Vinod Khanna.
Conclusion: The “Dhurandhar” Effect
Dhurandhar continues to roar at the box office, with the ensemble cast receiving praise. But amidst the explosions and spy games, it is Akshaye Khanna’s two-minute dance in Fa9la that remains the film’s most “whistle-worthy” moment. It proves that you don’t need complex choreography to win an audience—sometimes, you just need a great actor in the “zone.”
Have you watched Akshaye’s viral dance yet? Let us know your thoughts!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which movie is the song Fa9la from? The song Fa9la (sung by Flipperachi) is from the 2025 spy-thriller movie Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar.
2. Who choreographed Akshaye Khanna’s dance in Dhurandhar? The dance was choreographed by Vijay Ganguly, although the specific moves were largely improvised by Akshaye Khanna himself.
3. Is Akshaye Khanna playing a villain in Dhurandhar? Yes, Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dakait, a powerful and ruthless gangster based in Pakistan’s Lyari district.
4. Was the Fa9la dance planned? No. According to the choreographer, it was an impromptu decision by Akshaye Khanna to dance during his entry scene. It was shot in a single take.
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