While his latest film Dhurandhar continues to shatter box office records, actor Akshaye Khanna has chosen a path of quiet reflection away from the glitz. The famously reclusive star was recently seen performing a Vastu Shanti puja at his residence in Alibaug, a ritual captured in a video that has since gone viral online.
Historic Box Office Triumph For Khanna
The puja comes at a phenomenal career high for the actor. Dhurandhar, in which he plays the formidable Rehman Dakait, has achieved what few Hindi films have. Opening at Rs 28 crore, the film witnessed an extraordinary surge in its second weekend, collecting Rs 32.5 crore on Friday, followed by a staggering Rs 53 crore on Saturday and Rs 58 crore on Sunday.
The momentum defied industry norms, with weekday collections holding strong at around Rs 30 crore on Monday and Tuesday. This propelled the film's total India net collection to a monumental Rs 411 crore in just 13 days, with worldwide estimates between Rs 625-630 crore. These second-week numbers have surpassed even the benchmarks set by mega-blockbusters like Dangal, Jawan, and Pathaan.
Combined with the success of the historical drama Chhaava, the two films starring Akshaye Khanna have collectively earned over Rs 1000 crore globally, cementing a remarkable year for the selective actor.
A Private Ritual in Alibaug
While his co-star Ranveer Singh celebrated the success publicly on social media, Akshaye Khanna maintained his characteristic low profile. The actor was spotted at his Alibaug home participating in the Vastu puja, dressed casually in a white shirt and blue denim. The ceremony was conducted by priest Shivam Mhatre, who shared glimpses on Instagram.
In a heartfelt caption, Mhatre praised Khanna's demeanor, writing, "I had the good fortune of performing a traditional and devotional puja at actor Akshaye Khanna’s residence. His calm nature, simplicity, and positive energy made the experience truly special."
The priest also lauded the actor's professional choices, highlighting his powerful performances in Chhaava, his intense role in Dhurandhar, and his restrained work in Drishyam 2 and Section 375. "With carefully chosen roles, meaningful cinema, and mature performances, Akshaye Khanna continues to hold a unique and respected place," he added.
Fan Adoration and A Selective Career
The video quickly resonated with fans on platforms like Reddit, sparking admiration for Khanna's understated persona. One fan commented, "My man is chilling after delivering two ₹500+ crore blockbusters in a single year." Another noted, "Bro acted in two of the biggest Hindi films of the time and went to Alibaug to chill."
Many praised his discerning script selection. "His script selection should be admired. Last year I watched Section 375 and wasn’t expecting that twist," read one comment. Another fan expressed aspiration: "I aspire to be like this man—not performative, not attention-hungry. Just content, with quiet confidence... Does his job with perfection and disappears."
This selectivity defines his career. In nearly 30 years, Akshaye Khanna has appeared in only 48 films, including Dhurandhar. He once revealed the difficulty of such breaks, telling Mid-Day, "For me, not working is the hardest part of being an actor... It’s very hard when you aren’t getting material you connect with."
As Dhurandhar continues its record-breaking spree, having shattered 19 box office records including becoming Ranveer Singh's biggest earner, all eyes are on Khanna's next moves. While his character's fate in the announced sequel Dhurandhar Part 2 remains uncertain, the actor is set to appear in the Telugu film Mahakali, followed by Drishyam 3.
