'He knew he had killed it,' says 'Dhurandhar' actor Hirav Mehta on Akshaye Khanna's step in 'FA9LA' song; opens up on Ranveer Singh's energy during shoot

After smashing several box-office milestones and cementing its place as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters, ‘Dhurandhar’ continues to dominate theatres across the country.

What started off as an ambitious action spectacle has evolved into a cultural juggernaut, captivating audiences with its grand scale, visual flair and star-studded cast.Helmed by Aditya Dhar, the film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead and features a powerful ensemble that includes Akshaye Khanna,

Sanjay Dutt

, R Madhavan and

Arjun Rampal

. Together, the actors have delivered a film that has resonated far beyond initial expectations.In an interaction with NDTV, television actor Hirav Mehta, who appears as a BUF Rebel in ‘Dhurandhar’, spoke about recognising the film’s blockbuster potential while it was still being shot.

He also reflected on sharing the screen with some of the industry’s biggest names and being part of Akshaye Khanna’s now-viral song ‘Fa9la’.Recalling when it first struck him that ‘Dhurandhar’ was destined for massive success, Hirav said the realisation came almost immediately. “Maybe while shooting. When I went for the shoot on the first day itself, when I saw the set, when I saw that Aditya Dhar sir was directing it so well, and when I met all the actors like Ranveer Singh sir, Akshaye Khanna sir, Sanjay Dutt sir and all the other actors, I instantly knew that this was going to be a blockbuster film.

The script was amazing, the set was amazing, and the cinematography, direction and acting were all top-notch. I think while shooting itself, I understood that."For Hirav, this confidence wasn’t something that emerged after the film’s release. Instead, it was rooted in the meticulous planning, scale and professionalism he witnessed throughout the shoot.Describing his experience of working with such seasoned performers, Hirav said it felt like a learning experience of a lifetime.

“Looking at Ranveer Singh sir’s acting, Akshaye Khanna sir, Sanjay Dutt sir, R Madhavan sir and Arjun Rampal sir, when I actually shot scenes with them, it felt like an acting masterclass. In simple words, I learned a lot, and it is going to stay with me forever."Rather than being overwhelmed by the presence of such stalwarts, Hirav viewed the opportunity as a masterclass in acting that extended well beyond his role in the film.He was also seen in Akshaye Khanna’s much-talked-about song ‘Fa9la’, which became an instant sensation, especially for Akshaye’s subtle yet striking hook step. According to Hirav, the buzz around the sequence was palpable even while it was being filmed. Recalling his interaction with Akshaye Khanna, Hirav described it as brief but unforgettable. “I was already on the set when Akshaye Khanna sir entered. He was locked into his character, but I still went up to him, introduced myself and said it was a pleasure working with him.

He greeted me nicely. It was a small hello-hi conversation, and then we were locked into the shoot."Shedding light on the iconic hook step that became a major talking point, Hirav revealed it was completely spontaneous. “To be very honest, the hook-step was completely improvised. Akshaye sir has a very calm and composed personality, so even if the scene has turned out amazing, you wouldn’t notice his excitement on the set.

But deep within, I’m sure he knew he had killed it."Hirav also had high praise for Ranveer Singh, highlighting not just his on-screen brilliance but his generosity as a co-actor. “When Ranveer Singh sir enters the set, he walks in with an aura. He has so much energy, and not random energy – it’s the kind that people around him also feel. Off camera, he is fun and high-energy, but when it’s action time, he locks into the character and it becomes an acting masterclass."He further recalled a personal moment with Ranveer that left a lasting impression on him. “It was my first time on a film set, and I was very nervous. Ranveer Singh sir remembered my name, Hirav, and while we were shooting, he hyped me up from the background. That gave me so much confidence, and it’s a memory that will stay with me forever."