Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna is currently riding a wave of critical and commercial success with his latest film, 'Dhurandhar'. His intense and understated performance is being widely celebrated by audiences and critics alike. This fresh acclaim has prompted fans to revisit the actor's past, bringing to light a candid and hard-hitting interview from 2010.
Akshaye Khanna Calls Out Society's "Thick-Skinned" Nature
While promoting his film 'Aakrosh' in 2010, Akshaye Khanna sat down for an interview with Lehren and spoke with remarkable frankness about grave social issues. He expressed deep concern over what he described as society's growing indifference to suffering. The actor stated that people have become "thick-skinned", a condition where even major tragedies fail to evoke an appropriate emotional response.
He illustrated his point with stark examples. "We see a beggar on the street who hasn't eaten in two days. It really doesn't affect us to the extent, say, someone who comes from abroad, it would affect them much more," Khanna observed. He extended this argument to larger incidents of violence and corruption, suggesting that news of a hundred CRPF personnel being killed or a politician embezzling thousands of crores often fails to move the public deeply.
The Stark Reality of Honour Killings in India
The core of his critique focused on the alarming prevalence of honour killings. Akshaye Khanna cited a census, highlighting that almost two to three thousand people are killed every year in India due to honour-based violence, caste disputes, and related issues. He emphasised the disturbing disconnect in public consciousness.
"You know, it doesn't impact us, so we don't really care about it as much as we should," he said, pointing to a dangerous normalisation of such brutality. For Khanna, this societal silence and numbness were central problems that needed urgent addressing.
Why 'Aakrosh' Was More Than Just a Film for Him
For Akshaye Khanna, 'Aakrosh' was a significant departure from typical cinematic projects. The film, which dealt directly with honour killings and systemic injustice, served as a wake-up call for him personally. He explained that working on the project heightened his awareness of the harsh realities unfolding daily across the country.
The actor believed the film's purpose was to shake audiences out of their apathy. "Hopefully everyone who watches the film, [it will] make them a little more aware of the ground realities in our country, what is happening every day, and that we need to care about these things more," he stated. He concluded that this intent to provoke thought and empathy was the defining difference 'Aakrosh' held for him compared to other routine film roles.
Today, over a decade later, Akshaye Khanna finds himself back in the limelight. His film 'Dhurandhar' is minting magnificent numbers at the box office and garnering decent reviews, proving his enduring appeal. The rediscovery of his 2010 interview, however, reminds everyone that the actor's depth extends beyond the screen, into thoughtful commentary on the society his films reflect.
