Indian fencing achieved its best-ever performance on the global stage as Epee fencers Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan concluded their individual campaigns at the Senior World Fencing Championships 2026 in Hong Kong. Both athletes became the first Indian women's Epee fencers to qualify for the Main Table of 64 (Direct Elimination Round) at a Senior World Championships, competing in a field of over 180 athletes at the Asia World Expo. In the final standings for Women's Individual Epee, Taniksha Khatri placed 43rd overall, registering India's highest-ever individual rank in the event at a Senior World Championships.
Her teammate Prachi Lohan finished 58th, giving India two fencers in the top 60. Rounding out the Indian squad in the same event, Yashkeerat Kaur Hayer ranked 143rd, and Mitva Jesangbhai Chaudhari ranked 150th.
Expressing his support for the athletes, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia and the Fencing Association of India, said: "I am immensely proud and delighted to witness this historic achievement by Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan.
Their qualification for the Main Table of 64 at the Senior World Fencing Championships is a landmark moment for Indian fencing and reflects their exceptional talent, dedication, and perseverance. This remarkable feat is a testament to the growing standard of Indian fencing and will inspire many young athletes to excel on the international stage. I congratulate both fencers, their coaches, and the entire support team on this memorable success."
In the Men's Individual Foil event, Sachin finished as the top Indian fencer in 107th place, followed by Aditya at 137th, Sanasam Hemash Singh at 143rd, and Tejas Manoj Patil at 149th.
The tournament continues on Sunday, with the final stages of the Women's Individual Epee and Men's Individual Foil events, before transitioning into the team competitions.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
DCB Bank Ltd. reported a 35.5% year-on-year rise in first-quarter net profit as lower provisions and improving asset quality offset pressure on margins.
The private lender posted a net profit of Rs 213 crore for the quarter ended June 30, compared with Rs 157 crore a year earlier, according to an exchange filing on Friday.
Net interest income rose 17.7% to Rs 684 crore from Rs 581 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Asset quality improved sequentially, with the gross non-performing asset ratio easing to 2.43% from 2.45% at the end of March, while the net NPA ratio declined to 0.84% from 0.89%.
Provisions more than halved to Rs 57 crore from Rs 115 crore a year ago and fell from Rs 69 crore in the preceding quarter, supporting earnings growth.
The bank said advances grew 17% year-on-year, while deposits increased 20%, reflecting continued business momentum. Capital adequacy remained healthy at 17.03% under Basel III norms as of June 30.
"The growth momentum over the year on both deposits and advances continue to be strong. There has been marked improvement on most levers of profitability, resulting in 36% increase in profit after tax, compared to previous year," Managing Director and CEO Praveen Kutty said in the company's press release.
Kutty added that lower credit costs and improving portfolio quality helped the bank deliver its highest-ever quarterly profit for the fourth consecutive quarter, alongside an improvement in return on equity.
DCB Bank Q1 FY27
Net profit up 35.5% to Rs 213 crore from Rs 157 crore YoY
Net interest income (NII) up 17.7% to Rs 684 crore from Rs 581 crore YoY
Gross NPA improved to 2.43% from 2.45% QoQ
Net NPA improved to 0.84% from 0.89% QoQ
Provisions down to Rs 57 crore from Rs 115 crore YoY
Provisions down to Rs 57 crore from Rs 69 crore QoQ
Actor Saanvi Talwar has spoken about one of the most controversial incidents from her television career, revisiting her experience of working with Karan Kundra and sharing her version of events years after the controversy made headlines.
In an interview with Telly Masala, the actress alleged that Karan Kundra had shown interest in her and also recalled an on-set incident that, according to her, left her deeply shaken.
"He Was Interested In Me, Not Me In Him"
Addressing long-standing speculation about their equation, Saanvi claimed that it was Karan Kundra who was interested in her.
"He was interested in me, not me in him," Saanvi said.
She also revealed that certain scenes during the shoot made her uncomfortable. According to the actress, a bathroom scene was particularly difficult for her, prompting her to seek help instead of staying silent.
Saanvi said she approached Karan Kundra's then-girlfriend, Anusha Dandekar, and spoke to her about how she was feeling.
"After this, Anusha started coming to the set and keeping an eye on things herself."
Saanvi Opens Up About The Alleged Slap Incident
Saanvi also revisited the alleged slap incident, which became a major talking point at the time.
Recalling the sequence of events, she said a kissing scene between her and Karan Kundra was being filmed when he allegedly kissed her before the director had called for the shot.
She said, "I was very depressed. Then one day we had a kissing scene between Karan and me, and Karan kissed me before the director's cue. So, that was a wrong move, wasn't it? When the director didn't say anything like 'we have to do it now,' how did you do that? So, I slapped him (Karan)."
The actress further alleged that Karan later returned and slapped her in front of the crew.
"After that, he left. Then he came back 10-15 minutes later and slapped me so hard in front of everyone. A girl's hand... a boy's hand is much heavier than a girl's hand. And he slapped me so hard that I fell to the ground, and there wasn't a single person there... not from the crew, not from the direction team, not a single person supported me in any way."
"I Thought I Don't Want To Work Anymore"
Speaking about the aftermath of the incident, Saanvi said she felt devastated and decided to leave the set.
She shared, "At that time, he abused me; he abused my parents, and at that time I took my car and went to my home, and I thought I don't want to work anymore."
The actress also claimed that producer Ekta Kapoor later reached out to her and apologised on Karan Kundra's behalf.
She added, "After that, Ekta Ma'am apologised to me on Karan's behalf; I received a message from her. She then personally called me to her office, where we had a one-on-one conversation, and I respect Ekta Ma'am a lot. She told me that whatever you want will happen, but the show must go on."
Saanvi further claimed that the director of the show was replaced following the incident.
Karan Kundra has not publicly responded to Saanvi Talwar's latest claims yet.
Q1 Results Today Live Updates: Hello and welcome to NDTV Profit's live coverage of Q1 earnings on July 22, 2026! Stay tuned to our live blog as we bring you all major updates on April-June quarter earnings for the current fiscal (Q1FY27) and company announcements throughout the day. Several majors such as Adani Green, BPCL, IndusInd Bank, Dr Reddy's, JSW Energy, Nestlé India and others are in focus today as the companies will reveal their Q1 scorecards.
At least 60+ companies are scheduled to report their earnings on Tuesday. Following the results, companies will hold earnings calls with investors and analysts to discuss their performance and future plans. Watch this space for all the action from India Inc earnings reports.
Stay tuned to NDTV Profit for all back-to-back live updates of Q1 Results and company announcements on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Christopher Nolan has sparked fresh excitement among his fans, hinting at a horror film being on the cards. The Academy Award winner, whose latest release The Odyssey is making waves at the box office, and working on the film has only made him more interested in exploring horror.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the director was asked if audiences could finally stop asking him to make a horror film, considering The Odyssey includes several dark and unsettling moments. Responding with a laugh, he said, “I was going to say that. They don't need to beg me to tell a horror story anymore. Just buy a ticket.”
While The Odyssey may have touched on horror, Nolan made it clear that it had not ended his interest in the genre. In fact, the experience pushed him closer to it.
“It very much whets my appetite for more. But I've always believed that horror as a genre has to be approached very carefully from a conceptual point of view. In other words, you have to have an amazing idea.”
For Christopher Nolan, a horror film is not about technical tricks or visual effects. He feels the story always comes first. Explaining what inspires him, he referred to Brian De Palma's Obsession.
“When you go see a film like Obsession, that's an amazing idea. That movie works like a mo********er. It's not about the technical side. It's not about what technical itches I would have to scratch. It's about a story. So I'm always looking.”
Apart from its action and mythical world, The Odyssey also explores the idea of Zeus' law, often linked to the Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated.
Sharing his thoughts, the director said, “The fact that we have mutual respect is what, to some extent, defines civilization. I don't think that's something that can be entirely imposed by, for example, a religious framework. I think it has to be innate in us for that to be as prevalent and as effective as it has been over thousands of years.”
Based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who faces a dangerous journey home after the Trojan War. The film also features Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, and Travis Scott.
That veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is a masterclass of acting need not be said. It certainly need not be reiterated as the ace actor turns 76 and is better at his craft than ever.
What's interesting recently is how incredible talents from the '80s and '90s have found their second innings in the cinematic landscape extremely rewarding. Old gen, new crowds - they are all there to praise stellar performances. And Naseeruddin Shah has had a swell 2026 so far.
He is being applauded for his performances in Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga and Made In India: A Titan Story on OTT, both of which have highlighted that he's owning the year with less showsha and more work.
This invariably reminds us of another actor who had an equally fruitful 2025, all while remaining in the shadows of overflowing fan love.
Akshaye Khanna.
Not that we are comparing the two actors - they weren't of the same generation to begin with. While Naseeruddin Shah rose up the ladder in the '70s and '80s, Akshaye Khanna began his journey in the '90s.
But the common thread between the two vastly different and availed actors is the renewed recognition they have received within a year. And it indeed is commendable.
Naseeruddin Shah - The Moment
Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga has been a classic example of how you flip the table, becoming a sleeper hit.
Sharvari and Vedang Raina were impressive, but Naseeruddin Shah (Ishwar Grewal), who plays the older version of Vedang Raina's character - Keenu - stole hearts and triggered a meltdown of sorts. He delivered a convincing portrayal of a 95-year-old partition survivor losing his memory as he is haunted by hallucinations due to Alzheimer's and dementia.
All he wishes is to keep his promises: to return to his ancestral home and his lost love in Pakistan, from whom he was estranged when communal violence gripped the nation on the brink of independence.
The heart-wrenching pain and emotional depth that an actor of Naseeruddin Shah's calibre captured have received thunderous applause from far and wide, across age groups. At one point he was so immersive that he embodied the lingering longing of Ishar Grewal, his onscreen soul, completely.
Main Vaapas Aaunga came right after his massively acclaimed OTT series, released just a week after Made in India: A Titan Story. He played legendary Tata Group leader JRD Tata in the latter, the tale of how the visionary established Titan Watches.
Naseeruddin Shah's grace and strong screen presence blended effortlessly with the dignity and gentle manner expected of someone playing a character as formidable as JRD Tata. That left critics impressed, and they duly expressed it.
Naseeruddin Shah was the sun, and June its brimming rays. With the first half of 2026 behind us, it's safe to say the veteran actor led with true-blue main-character energy.
And this makes us want to revisit a similar success story from 2025, when Akshaye Khanna was critics' and audiences' favourite.
Akshaye Khanna - The Moment That Was
Akshaye Khanna had his OTT film Ikka released earlier this month, headlining with Sunny Deol and directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra. While fans were excited to see him again after the Dhurandhar craze he unleashed as the menacing crime lord Rehman Dakait, it still doesn't match the frenzy that enveloped him in 2025.
Akshaye Khanna literally started and ended 2025 with a bang. He began with Laxman Utekar's Chhava and ended with Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar; what's more, he played villains in both.
In Chhaava he was the ruthless Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who challenged Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and led to his merciless death. Rather than adopting a loud approach to antagonism, Akshaye Khanna brought a chilling restraint. He was cold, heartless, and could compel anyone to hate him - and he did. That's just an example of how terrific he was.
He underwent an intense transformation that impressed the masses: long grey hair, a heavy beard, kohl-rimmed eyes and hours of prosthetics were all part of the process.
And he carried the same determination into Dhurandhar.
Aditya Dhar's spy film had an ensemble cast, with Ranveer Singh headlining alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Rakesh Bedi as irreplaceable additions. But Akshaye Khanna, as the powerful crime kingpin, stole the limelight - and how!
From his dance moves to his flip-and-flaunt flair, to his cold stare, to a brawl with Ranveer Singh and a climatic fall at the end of Dhurandhar Part 1, Akshaye Khanna became the internet's sweetheart.
The internet was in love with Akshaye Khanna, and while he remained as reclusive as ever, far from the uproar of fan frenzy, 2025 ended on the note that Akshaye Khanna had nailed it.
If we compare, Naseeruddin Shah and Akshaye Khanna's journeys in 2026 and 2025 respectively, they do have dissimilarities. Akshaye Khanna's soaring success and recognition were visible in roaring box-office numbers; Naseeruddin Shah's time in the sun came as critical acclaim, rampant social-media appreciation and glowing reviews.
Both are killing it in their own styles, just like their diverse filmographies.
Either way, it's an excellent time to enjoy cinema, with actors from different generations and with distinct skill sets giving viewers performances worth watching.
Indian fencing achieved its best-ever performance on the global stage as Epee fencers Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan concluded their individual campaigns at the Senior World Fencing Championships 2026 in Hong Kong. Both athletes became the first Indian women's Epee fencers to qualify for the Main Table of 64 (Direct Elimination Round) at a Senior World Championships, competing in a field of over 180 athletes at the Asia World Expo. In the final standings for Women's Individual Epee, Taniksha Khatri placed 43rd overall, registering India's highest-ever individual rank in the event at a Senior World Championships.
Her teammate Prachi Lohan finished 58th, giving India two fencers in the top 60. Rounding out the Indian squad in the same event, Yashkeerat Kaur Hayer ranked 143rd, and Mitva Jesangbhai Chaudhari ranked 150th.
Expressing his support for the athletes, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia and the Fencing Association of India, said: "I am immensely proud and delighted to witness this historic achievement by Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan.
Their qualification for the Main Table of 64 at the Senior World Fencing Championships is a landmark moment for Indian fencing and reflects their exceptional talent, dedication, and perseverance. This remarkable feat is a testament to the growing standard of Indian fencing and will inspire many young athletes to excel on the international stage. I congratulate both fencers, their coaches, and the entire support team on this memorable success."
In the Men's Individual Foil event, Sachin finished as the top Indian fencer in 107th place, followed by Aditya at 137th, Sanasam Hemash Singh at 143rd, and Tejas Manoj Patil at 149th.
The tournament continues on Sunday, with the final stages of the Women's Individual Epee and Men's Individual Foil events, before transitioning into the team competitions.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
DCB Bank Ltd. reported a 35.5% year-on-year rise in first-quarter net profit as lower provisions and improving asset quality offset pressure on margins.
The private lender posted a net profit of Rs 213 crore for the quarter ended June 30, compared with Rs 157 crore a year earlier, according to an exchange filing on Friday.
Net interest income rose 17.7% to Rs 684 crore from Rs 581 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Asset quality improved sequentially, with the gross non-performing asset ratio easing to 2.43% from 2.45% at the end of March, while the net NPA ratio declined to 0.84% from 0.89%.
Provisions more than halved to Rs 57 crore from Rs 115 crore a year ago and fell from Rs 69 crore in the preceding quarter, supporting earnings growth.
The bank said advances grew 17% year-on-year, while deposits increased 20%, reflecting continued business momentum. Capital adequacy remained healthy at 17.03% under Basel III norms as of June 30.
"The growth momentum over the year on both deposits and advances continue to be strong. There has been marked improvement on most levers of profitability, resulting in 36% increase in profit after tax, compared to previous year," Managing Director and CEO Praveen Kutty said in the company's press release.
Kutty added that lower credit costs and improving portfolio quality helped the bank deliver its highest-ever quarterly profit for the fourth consecutive quarter, alongside an improvement in return on equity.
DCB Bank Q1 FY27
Net profit up 35.5% to Rs 213 crore from Rs 157 crore YoY
Net interest income (NII) up 17.7% to Rs 684 crore from Rs 581 crore YoY
Gross NPA improved to 2.43% from 2.45% QoQ
Net NPA improved to 0.84% from 0.89% QoQ
Provisions down to Rs 57 crore from Rs 115 crore YoY
Provisions down to Rs 57 crore from Rs 69 crore QoQ
Actor Saanvi Talwar has spoken about one of the most controversial incidents from her television career, revisiting her experience of working with Karan Kundra and sharing her version of events years after the controversy made headlines.
In an interview with Telly Masala, the actress alleged that Karan Kundra had shown interest in her and also recalled an on-set incident that, according to her, left her deeply shaken.
"He Was Interested In Me, Not Me In Him"
Addressing long-standing speculation about their equation, Saanvi claimed that it was Karan Kundra who was interested in her.
"He was interested in me, not me in him," Saanvi said.
She also revealed that certain scenes during the shoot made her uncomfortable. According to the actress, a bathroom scene was particularly difficult for her, prompting her to seek help instead of staying silent.
Saanvi said she approached Karan Kundra's then-girlfriend, Anusha Dandekar, and spoke to her about how she was feeling.
"After this, Anusha started coming to the set and keeping an eye on things herself."
Saanvi Opens Up About The Alleged Slap Incident
Saanvi also revisited the alleged slap incident, which became a major talking point at the time.
Recalling the sequence of events, she said a kissing scene between her and Karan Kundra was being filmed when he allegedly kissed her before the director had called for the shot.
She said, "I was very depressed. Then one day we had a kissing scene between Karan and me, and Karan kissed me before the director's cue. So, that was a wrong move, wasn't it? When the director didn't say anything like 'we have to do it now,' how did you do that? So, I slapped him (Karan)."
The actress further alleged that Karan later returned and slapped her in front of the crew.
"After that, he left. Then he came back 10-15 minutes later and slapped me so hard in front of everyone. A girl's hand... a boy's hand is much heavier than a girl's hand. And he slapped me so hard that I fell to the ground, and there wasn't a single person there... not from the crew, not from the direction team, not a single person supported me in any way."
"I Thought I Don't Want To Work Anymore"
Speaking about the aftermath of the incident, Saanvi said she felt devastated and decided to leave the set.
She shared, "At that time, he abused me; he abused my parents, and at that time I took my car and went to my home, and I thought I don't want to work anymore."
The actress also claimed that producer Ekta Kapoor later reached out to her and apologised on Karan Kundra's behalf.
She added, "After that, Ekta Ma'am apologised to me on Karan's behalf; I received a message from her. She then personally called me to her office, where we had a one-on-one conversation, and I respect Ekta Ma'am a lot. She told me that whatever you want will happen, but the show must go on."
Saanvi further claimed that the director of the show was replaced following the incident.
Karan Kundra has not publicly responded to Saanvi Talwar's latest claims yet.
Q1 Results Today Live Updates: Hello and welcome to NDTV Profit's live coverage of Q1 earnings on July 22, 2026! Stay tuned to our live blog as we bring you all major updates on April-June quarter earnings for the current fiscal (Q1FY27) and company announcements throughout the day. Several majors such as Adani Green, BPCL, IndusInd Bank, Dr Reddy's, JSW Energy, Nestlé India and others are in focus today as the companies will reveal their Q1 scorecards.
At least 60+ companies are scheduled to report their earnings on Tuesday. Following the results, companies will hold earnings calls with investors and analysts to discuss their performance and future plans. Watch this space for all the action from India Inc earnings reports.
Stay tuned to NDTV Profit for all back-to-back live updates of Q1 Results and company announcements on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Christopher Nolan has sparked fresh excitement among his fans, hinting at a horror film being on the cards. The Academy Award winner, whose latest release The Odyssey is making waves at the box office, and working on the film has only made him more interested in exploring horror.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the director was asked if audiences could finally stop asking him to make a horror film, considering The Odyssey includes several dark and unsettling moments. Responding with a laugh, he said, “I was going to say that. They don't need to beg me to tell a horror story anymore. Just buy a ticket.”
While The Odyssey may have touched on horror, Nolan made it clear that it had not ended his interest in the genre. In fact, the experience pushed him closer to it.
“It very much whets my appetite for more. But I've always believed that horror as a genre has to be approached very carefully from a conceptual point of view. In other words, you have to have an amazing idea.”
For Christopher Nolan, a horror film is not about technical tricks or visual effects. He feels the story always comes first. Explaining what inspires him, he referred to Brian De Palma's Obsession.
“When you go see a film like Obsession, that's an amazing idea. That movie works like a mo********er. It's not about the technical side. It's not about what technical itches I would have to scratch. It's about a story. So I'm always looking.”
Apart from its action and mythical world, The Odyssey also explores the idea of Zeus' law, often linked to the Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated.
Sharing his thoughts, the director said, “The fact that we have mutual respect is what, to some extent, defines civilization. I don't think that's something that can be entirely imposed by, for example, a religious framework. I think it has to be innate in us for that to be as prevalent and as effective as it has been over thousands of years.”
Based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who faces a dangerous journey home after the Trojan War. The film also features Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, and Travis Scott.
That veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is a masterclass of acting need not be said. It certainly need not be reiterated as the ace actor turns 76 and is better at his craft than ever.
What's interesting recently is how incredible talents from the '80s and '90s have found their second innings in the cinematic landscape extremely rewarding. Old gen, new crowds - they are all there to praise stellar performances. And Naseeruddin Shah has had a swell 2026 so far.
He is being applauded for his performances in Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga and Made In India: A Titan Story on OTT, both of which have highlighted that he's owning the year with less showsha and more work.
This invariably reminds us of another actor who had an equally fruitful 2025, all while remaining in the shadows of overflowing fan love.
Akshaye Khanna.
Not that we are comparing the two actors - they weren't of the same generation to begin with. While Naseeruddin Shah rose up the ladder in the '70s and '80s, Akshaye Khanna began his journey in the '90s.
But the common thread between the two vastly different and availed actors is the renewed recognition they have received within a year. And it indeed is commendable.
Naseeruddin Shah - The Moment
Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga has been a classic example of how you flip the table, becoming a sleeper hit.
Sharvari and Vedang Raina were impressive, but Naseeruddin Shah (Ishwar Grewal), who plays the older version of Vedang Raina's character - Keenu - stole hearts and triggered a meltdown of sorts. He delivered a convincing portrayal of a 95-year-old partition survivor losing his memory as he is haunted by hallucinations due to Alzheimer's and dementia.
All he wishes is to keep his promises: to return to his ancestral home and his lost love in Pakistan, from whom he was estranged when communal violence gripped the nation on the brink of independence.
The heart-wrenching pain and emotional depth that an actor of Naseeruddin Shah's calibre captured have received thunderous applause from far and wide, across age groups. At one point he was so immersive that he embodied the lingering longing of Ishar Grewal, his onscreen soul, completely.
Main Vaapas Aaunga came right after his massively acclaimed OTT series, released just a week after Made in India: A Titan Story. He played legendary Tata Group leader JRD Tata in the latter, the tale of how the visionary established Titan Watches.
Naseeruddin Shah's grace and strong screen presence blended effortlessly with the dignity and gentle manner expected of someone playing a character as formidable as JRD Tata. That left critics impressed, and they duly expressed it.
Naseeruddin Shah was the sun, and June its brimming rays. With the first half of 2026 behind us, it's safe to say the veteran actor led with true-blue main-character energy.
And this makes us want to revisit a similar success story from 2025, when Akshaye Khanna was critics' and audiences' favourite.
Akshaye Khanna - The Moment That Was
Akshaye Khanna had his OTT film Ikka released earlier this month, headlining with Sunny Deol and directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra. While fans were excited to see him again after the Dhurandhar craze he unleashed as the menacing crime lord Rehman Dakait, it still doesn't match the frenzy that enveloped him in 2025.
Akshaye Khanna literally started and ended 2025 with a bang. He began with Laxman Utekar's Chhava and ended with Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar; what's more, he played villains in both.
In Chhaava he was the ruthless Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who challenged Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and led to his merciless death. Rather than adopting a loud approach to antagonism, Akshaye Khanna brought a chilling restraint. He was cold, heartless, and could compel anyone to hate him - and he did. That's just an example of how terrific he was.
He underwent an intense transformation that impressed the masses: long grey hair, a heavy beard, kohl-rimmed eyes and hours of prosthetics were all part of the process.
And he carried the same determination into Dhurandhar.
Aditya Dhar's spy film had an ensemble cast, with Ranveer Singh headlining alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Rakesh Bedi as irreplaceable additions. But Akshaye Khanna, as the powerful crime kingpin, stole the limelight - and how!
From his dance moves to his flip-and-flaunt flair, to his cold stare, to a brawl with Ranveer Singh and a climatic fall at the end of Dhurandhar Part 1, Akshaye Khanna became the internet's sweetheart.
The internet was in love with Akshaye Khanna, and while he remained as reclusive as ever, far from the uproar of fan frenzy, 2025 ended on the note that Akshaye Khanna had nailed it.
If we compare, Naseeruddin Shah and Akshaye Khanna's journeys in 2026 and 2025 respectively, they do have dissimilarities. Akshaye Khanna's soaring success and recognition were visible in roaring box-office numbers; Naseeruddin Shah's time in the sun came as critical acclaim, rampant social-media appreciation and glowing reviews.
Both are killing it in their own styles, just like their diverse filmographies.
Either way, it's an excellent time to enjoy cinema, with actors from different generations and with distinct skill sets giving viewers performances worth watching.
