A viral social media post claiming that actor Akshaye Khanna expressed relief over not being part of the newly released film Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Dhurandhar 2) has been confirmed as fake. The post, which circulated widely on X (formerly Twitter), featured a fabricated Instagram story allegedly from the actor’s account. ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Box Office Collection Day 1: Ranveer Singh’s Spy Thriller Creates History With INR102 Crore Opening in India, Surpasses THESE Biggies.

The viral screenshot suggested that Khanna, who played the iconic antagonist Rehman Dakait in the first instalment, criticised the sequel for "justifying demonetization" and other political themes. However, investigations reveal that the actor does not maintain a public profile on Instagram, and the statement is entirely baseless.

Did Akshaye Khanna Slam ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ Makers?

The controversy began shortly after the theatrical release of Dhurandhar 2 on March 19, 2026. An image of an Instagram story began trending, showing an account under Akshaye Khanna’s name with the text, "Watched Dhurandhar 2 and I'm glad I'm not part of this anymore after seeing makers literally justified demonetisation and so many things."

Viral Post Claiming To Be Akshaye Khanna’s Instagram Story Targets ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Makers

The post quickly gained traction as fans of the franchise were already discussing the film's heavy political undertones, which include references to the 2016 demonetization policy as a plot device to cripple cross-border terror funding.

The Claim

The claim asserts that Akshaye Khanna publicly distanced himself from the Dhurandhar franchise due to its ideological leanings and the portrayal of specific government policies.

The Verdict

The claim is false. Akshaye Khanna is well-known in the film industry for his reclusive nature and his deliberate absence from social media platforms. Akshaye Khanna does not have an official or verified Instagram account. His representatives and colleagues, including casting director Mukesh Chhabra, have frequently noted that the actor prefers to stay away from digital interactions.

In the narrative of the Dhurandhar series, Khanna's character, Rehman Dakait, was killed off in the first film. His absence from the sequel is a result of the script's progression rather than a personal or political withdrawal.

More About ‘Dhurandhar 2’

Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, has indeed sparked a polarised debate online. Critics and viewers have noted that the film's "Chapter 5," titled Unknown Men, explicitly links the protagonist's mission to the 2016 demonetization move by the Indian government. Prakash Raj Takes Dig at Allu Arjun, Jr NTR for Praising Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar 2’, Calls Their Support ‘Signs of Obligations’ (View Posts).

While the film has faced criticism from some circles for its "propaganda-leaning" themes, there is no evidence of any cast members from the original film, including Khanna, speaking out against the production. On the contrary, sources close to the actor state he remains on cordial terms with director Aditya Dhar and the production house.

Fact check

Fact Check: Did Akshaye Khanna SLAM ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Makers on Social Media for Its Political Themes? Here’s the Truth Behind Viral Post
Claim :

A viral Instagram story suggests Akshaye Khanna slammed Dhurandhar 2 makers for justifying demonetisation

Conclusion :

The viral post is fake, as Akshaye Khanna does not have an official Instagram account and the image was fabricated

Full of Trash
Clean

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2026 11:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).