Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar recently addressed speculation about whether he was offered a role in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, during the India Today Conclave.
Speaking about shifting audience tastes, Akshay said, “Take Dhurandhar, for example. It’s a full-fledged action film… People loved it. Then you have Ranveer Singh performing high-energy action sequences as a complete ‘angry young man’. Now, horror comedies are trending, like Stree. Audience preferences keep changing, and we never really know what will click next.”
When asked directly if he was approached for the film, Akshay clarified, “I don’t think Aditya thought that, so I didn’t get it.”
He further emphasized that he doesn’t feel insecure or jealous of peers. “Many times, when I meet Ranveer, he says, ‘It was a great film, I wish I had done it.’ There are films some actors want to do and some I want to do. We are around 15–20 actors, and 180 films are made in India every year, so everyone gets work. You may feel regret about missing a role, but there’s no jealousy,” he added.
For context, Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is set to release in cinemas on March 19, 2026, while Akshay Kumar’s Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan, will follow three weeks later.
Akshay’s candid remarks provide insight into Bollywood’s collaborative spirit, the changing dynamics of audience demand, and how top actors view success and opportunity in the industry.
