Ranveer Singh’s action drama Dhurandhar continues its strong run at the box office, and within just four days, the film has made a massive impact despite the usual weekday drop. While the film’s overall scale is drawing crowds, one performance that has completely stolen the spotlight is that of Akshaye Khanna as the dreaded dacoit Rehman.

A particular dance sequence featuring Akshaye Khanna has gone viral across social media, leaving fans stunned. What has surprised everyone even more is the revelation that this much-loved dance moment was never choreographed in advance.

Shot at high altitude, performed with an oxygen mask

The film was shot across several challenging locations, including Ladakh. During the shoot of the Balochistan celebration sequence, Akshaye Khanna suffered from severe high-altitude sickness. According to choreographer Vijay Ganguly, the actor had to carry a small oxygen cylinder throughout the shoot.

Ganguly revealed that Akshaye’s oxygen levels would drop significantly between takes, forcing him to wear an oxygen mask after almost every shot. Despite his deteriorating health, the actor continued to perform without complaint and returned only after completing the scene.

The scene was conceptualised by director Aditya Dhar, who recreated Balochistan in Ladakh. Given the extreme altitude, cast and crew were strictly advised to rest on the first day to avoid health complications, but even with precautions, Akshaye had to rely on oxygen support.

The dance was completely improvised

In another major revelation, Vijay Ganguly shared that Akshaye Khanna choreographed the viral dance himself on the spot. “There was no planned choreography. He was only supposed to enter, walk through the dancers and take his seat. Watching the vibe of the scene, Akshaye suddenly said he would dance a little while entering,” Ganguly said.

“No one knew what he was about to do. Once the camera rolled, he took over the moment completely and performed it in one go,” he added.

Fans can’t get enough of Rehman’s entry

The song “FA9LA” from Dhurandhar has taken over reels and short-video platforms, with Akshaye Khanna’s entry becoming a fan favourite. Even as the film continues to dominate discussions for its action, scale and performances by Ranveer Singh, it is Akshaye’s unplanned, high-altitude dance—performed through an oxygen mask—that has turned into the film’s most unforgettable moment.