Akshaye Khanna is one of the most underrated yet immensely talented actors in Bollywood. He has proven it time and again that he can be trusted with a variety of roles. Whether he’s playing a romantic hero, a menacing villain, or someone who blurs the lines in between, this man knows how to own the screen. Now, as Akshaye Khanna’s birthday falls on March 28, there couldn’t be a better way to celebrate this actor than by revisiting some of his best performances of the years. So, without further ado, let’s get to it and check out some of the best Akshaye Khanna movies you can watch this weekend.
Akshaye Khanna in Chhaava: The Ultimate Villain?
Before we start the list, let’s talk about one of his most iconic performances ever! Yes, we’re talking about Akshaye Khanna’s latest film Chhaava! In this historical epic revolving around the great Maratha leader, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Akshaye steps into the shoes of his adversary, Aurangzeb. He delivers a power-packed, menacing performance as the antagonist standing opposite Vicky Kaushal’s Shambhuraje. With this, he’s proven it once again—when Akshaye plays a villain, he can make you absolutely hate him. It is undoubtedly one of Akshaye Khanna’s best performances ever!
Now that we’ve discussed Chhaava, let’s rewind and revisit some of the best Akshaye Khanna movies and his stellar performances in each one of them.
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Taal(1999)
Who else could make an arrogant yet hopelessly in love guy look so cool? In Taal, Akshaye played Manav, the rich boy in love with a simple girl, with so much sincerity that you couldn’t help but feel for him. The romance, the heartbreak, the drama—he nailed it all! While Tabu and Anil Kapoor
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Dil Chahta Hai(2001)
Of course, we can’t talk about Akshaye Khanna without mentioning Dil Chahta Hai, right? After all, it’s one of the top Akshaye Khanna movies ever! His portrayal of Sid—the quiet, artistic, and deeply emotional friend—was nothing short of iconic. While Aamir and Saif had their fun moments, Akshaye brought the soul to the film. That heart-wrenching scene with Dimple Kapadia? Still gives us goosebumps! So, if you love romantic comedy movies, this has to be on your watchlist, or should I say re-watch list.
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Gandhi, My Father(2007)
Akshaye’s role as Harilal Gandhi in Gandhi, My Father was nothing short of phenomenal. The film explores the strained relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his son. In it, we saw Akshaye Khanna delivering one of the finest performances of his career. Raw, emotional, and deeply moving—this one still remains an underrated gem in Bollywood.
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Ittefaq(2017)
As Dev, the sharp and skeptical cop in Ittefaq, Akshaye was the glue holding the entire film together. He had the perfect mix of sarcasm, suspicion, and wit. While we were confused between Sonakshi Sinha and Sidharth Malhotra, Akshaye definitely made us root for him. Seriously, if there’s a list of Bollywood’s most stylish and intelligent cops, Dev is right up there! If you’re a fan of thriller movies, don’t forget to add this to your watchlist!
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The Accidental Prime Minister(2019)
Transforming into a real-life personality isn’t easy, but Akshaye made it look effortless. Watch him play the role of real-life political strategist Sanjaya Baru in The Accidental Prime Minister on ZEE5. While Anupam Kher aced the role of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Khanna was equally brilliant as he played the PM’s right-hand man. With a quiet intensity to his role, Khanna let his expressions do the talking. It proved yet again that Akshaye is all about depth, not dramatics.
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State of Siege: Temple Attack(2021)
Akshaye proved once again why he’s an acting powerhouse in this gripping ZEE5 thriller. Playing NSG commando Major Hanut Singh, he brought a mix of vulnerability and resilience to his character. He effortlessly made Singh’s character much more than a regular action hero. The intensity in his eyes and the depth in his performance made State of Siege: Temple Attack a must-watch. Who needs capes when we have real-life heroes like this?
Celebrate Akshaye Khanna’s Birthday with His Best Films
Akshaye Khanna is one of the finest actors in Bollywood. He deserves all the love and appreciation not only on his birthday but every other day! So, without wasting any more time, make some popcorn, go to your favorite OTT platform, and watch Akshaye Khanna movies to celebrate this incredible actor!
