Akshaye Khanna’s strongest debut at 19 was carefully planned by Vinod Khanna! Here’s how

Akshaye Khanna, currently winning acclaim for his portrayal of Rehman Daikat in Dhurandhar, has long been admired for his subtle, restrained acting. After his ‘Sher-E-Baloch’ entry scene went viral, fans began drawing parallels with his legendary father Vinod Khanna, sharing old videos that hinted at a legacy echoing through generations.

Must Read: Star kid who almost married Karisma Kapoor and romanced Aishwarya Rai wanted to date Tamil Nadu CM!

As Akshaye enjoys a renewed wave of admiration, audiences are also keenly looking forward to his upcoming projects, including PVCU’s Mahakali, where he steps into the powerful role of Daitya Guru Shukracharya.

A Career Revisited, A Debut Re-examined

With a career spanning nearly three decades and several memorable performances, Akshaye Khanna has carved his own space in Hindi cinema. However, few are aware that his very first step into films was the result of meticulous planning rather than chance.

At just 19, Akshaye made his debut with Himalay Putra in 1997. Determined to give his son the strongest possible launch, the late Vinod Khanna ensured that only top-tier creative professionals were associated with the project.

When Vinod Khanna Handpicked the Best

Director Pankaj Parashar once revealed how Vinod Khanna personally approached him while finalising the team for Akshaye’s launch.

Speaking to Siddharth Kannan on YouTube, he recalled, “He said, ‘Obviously, this will be a love story. There are 2-3 conditions. Anu Malik will give the music, and Honey Irani will write. I said, 'Fantastic'. As I was about to leave, I asked, 'Sir, can I see him (Akshaye)?'"

The intent was clear, Akshaye’s debut would be built on a strong creative foundation.

A Young Actor with Raw Instincts

Meeting Akshaye for the first time left a lasting impression on the director, despite one noticeable challenge.

“His problem was Hindi. He didn't speak much Hindi. He used to think in English, but he was a natural actor,” Parashar shared.

The First Reading That Sealed His Faith

Recalling the initial script reading, Parashar described a moment of reassurance.

“The first day when we gave him a dialogue and he read it, I said, ‘Thank God,’ because he is an actor. He was just 19, and he performed well," he said.

Even with language limitations, Akshaye’s innate understanding of performance stood out unmistakably.

Advice That Shaped the Actor

He Became Understanding the importance of mastering Hindi, the director guided Akshaye in the right direction.

“I told Akshaye that you will have to learn. So he learned. He got a diction teacher, and he was a natural,” he added.

Also Read: When Vinod Khanna’s father warned to shoot him dead for working in movies

Parashar also clarified Vinod Khanna’s involvement during filming, emphasising balance over authority.

“He wasn't interfering, but he would give suggestions, and if Honey and I didn't agree with those suggestions, he would concede. But he was always there for music sittings or anything else," he added.