Before Chhava: Akshay Khanna’s Top 8 Films That Made Him a Legend!

Akshaye Khanna has long been one of Bollywood's most underestimated performers. While everyone is talking about his next part in *Chhava*, don't forget about the memorable performances that propelled him to the top of the business. From the emotional depth of *Dil Chahta Hai* to the gripping intensity of *Section 375*, he has given some of Indian cinema's best performances. Before he takes on his next big role, let's take a look back at the films that established Akshaye Khanna as a legend in his own right.

Here's a thorough look at Akshaye Khanna's most memorable films before Chhava, focusing on his performances, influence, and critical reaction.

Akshay Khanna had a significant effect on J.P. Dutta's Border, one of Bollywood's most acclaimed war pictures. He played Lt. Dharamvir Bhan, a young, idealistic soldier who is sincerely committed to his mission but also emotionally sensitive. His portrayal of innocence and courage struck a chord with fans, propelling him to the forefront of an ensemble cast that featured Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and Jackie Shroff.
: The film was a huge hit, earning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. Akshaye got the Filmfare Best Debut award.

Taal was a romance drama directed by Subhash Ghai in which Akshaye played Manav, the son of a wealthy businessman who falls in love with a small-town girl named Mansi (Aishwarya Rai). His character's emotional range, from naive love to heartache and forgiveness, made for a remarkable performance.
: A.R. Rahman's soundtrack was a standout, and Akshaye's chemistry with Aishwarya Rai contributed to the film's appeal.
The film was a commercial triumph in India and did extraordinarily well elsewhere.

Dil Chahta Hai, one of Akshaye's most memorable films, heralded a new age in Bollywood with its unique approach to friendship and relationships. Farhan Akhtar directed him in the role of Siddharth (Sid), a mature and sensitive member of a triovirate that also comprised Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan.
Sid's affection for an elderly woman (played by Dimple Kapadia) was novel at the time. His reserved performance contrasted with Aamir and Saif's more emotive parts, bringing dimension to the tale.
: The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and Akshaye received a Filmfare nomination for his performance.Cultural Impact: The film is still popular among millennials and is regarded as one of Bollywood's best coming-of-age films.
In Abbas-Mustan's thriller Humraaz, Akshay deviated from his boy-next-door persona. He portrayed Karan, a con man in a love triangle with Bobby Deol and Ameesha Patel. His multilayered portrayal, blending charm and villainy, demonstrated his flexibility.
The film was a commercial success, earning Akshaye a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor in a Negative Role.
This part demonstrated his ability to handle complicated and ethically ambiguous characters, laying the groundwork for future thrillers.

Gandhi, My Father, a biographical drama in which Akshay played Harilal Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's difficult son, was one of his best performances. The film, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, delves into Harilal's poor connection with his father, his battle with alcoholism, and his terrible demise.
Akshay's performance was very emotional, and many praised it as his greatest work.
The film earned the National Film Award for Special Jury Award, and Akshaye's performance received much praise.
It is still considered a benchmark for biographical films in Bollywood.
Akshay portrayed a clever and savvy businessman in Abbas-Mustan's Race, a suspense thriller replete with twists and betrayals. His character's unexpected nature and sophisticated presentation heightened the film's fascination.
: One of the highest-grossing pictures of 2008.
: Strengthened his ability to play grey-shaded characters with elegance.

Section 375, a gritty courtroom drama, starred Akshaye as a bright and tough defence lawyer fighting a rape case. His language, emotions, and screen presence make this one of his best performances in recent years.
The film received critical acclaim for its balanced approach to legal and moral concerns.
: His calm and powerful depiction stood out, gaining him significant praise.
In this contentious political film, Akshaye plays Sanjaya Baru, the former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's communications advisor. The film, based on Baru's book, showed the inner workings of Indian politics.
: Akshaye's subtle performance was praised; however, the film drew mixed reactions.


Prior to Chhava, Akshaye Khanna's oeuvre demonstrated his incredible versatility, ranging from emotional dramas and thrillers to courtroom and political flicks. He has constantly provided great performances as an innocent soldier (Border), a sympathetic artist (Dil Chahta Hai), and a savvy lawyer (Section 375).
Do you want to get further into any of these films or his acting style?