Bold claim first: Nagarjuna didn’t reject Rehman Dakait’s role in Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar—he wasn’t even approached. But here’s the twist that sparks conversation: the rumor mill suggested he auditioned and declined, while Akshaye Khanna’s chilling turn as Rehman Dakait stole the spotlight. Nagarjuna recently cleared the air in a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, making it clear that the casting call never reached him. He added that, had it happened, he would have welcomed the opportunity, praising Dhurandhar as an exceptional film with Aditya Dhar’s directing at the top of its game. He also singled out Akshaye Khanna’s performance as terrific and expressed admiration for Dhar’s earlier work on Uri.
Nagarjuna, who is amid filming his 100th project, emphasized that there’s no rush to complete the milestone. He noted that audiences now expect storytelling that meets international standards, and he wants the milestone project to be truly special.
Looking ahead, Nagarjuna’s last Bollywood appearance was in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022), where he portrayed Anish Shetty, the wielder of the Nandi Astra, acting alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. His upcoming release is scheduled for January 15 during Sankranthi. On the other hand, Akshaye Khanna is anticipated to reprise Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, slated for a March 19 release. After Dhurandhar 2, Khanna has Mahakali and Ikka lined up.
And this is where it gets tricky: if you believed the original casting rumor, you’re not alone—yet the truth is that the industry often has more moving parts than a single headline suggests. Could there be a nuanced story about casting dynamics, negotiations, or timing that explains why some names surface and others don’t? How do audiences feel about rumors versus official confirmations when it comes to high-stakes film projects? Share your take in the comments.
