A recent wave of reports suggests that prominent actor Nagarjuna was the initial choice for the role of Rehman Dakait in director Aditya Dhar's film "Dhurandhar," a part ultimately played by Akshaye Khanna. This assertion has sparked discussion, with some outlets presenting it as a fact and others framing it as a claim awaiting definitive confirmation. Khanna's performance in the film has been widely praised, with several sources noting it as a significant career highlight.

Background of the "Dhurandhar" Casting Discussion
The discussion around the casting of "Dhurandhar" intensified following the film's release and Akshaye Khanna's acclaimed portrayal of Rehman Dakait. Reports have circulated online suggesting that Nagarjuna was the first actor approached for the role. These claims often cite Nagarjuna himself as the source of this information, indicating that he was offered the part before Akshaye Khanna was finalized.
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Initial Reports: Multiple news outlets published stories claiming Nagarjuna was the first choice.
Nagarjuna's Alleged Statement: These reports suggest Nagarjuna acknowledged being offered the role but turned it down.
Reasons for Declining: The primary reason cited for Nagarjuna's supposed refusal is a conflict of dates with other projects, specifically mentioning "Coolie" (starring Rajinikanth) and "Kuberaa" (starring Dhanush).
Akshaye Khanna's Performance: The articles consistently highlight Akshaye Khanna's strong performance and the positive reception he received for his role.
Divergent Narratives on Nagarjuna's Involvement
While several reports indicate that Nagarjuna has indeed revealed his prior consideration for the Rehman Dakait role, a degree of ambiguity persists. Some articles present this as a confirmed fact, while others imply that the information stems from Nagarjuna's statements and may require further substantiation.

"Reports claimed Nagarjuna was first offered to play Akshay Khanna's role of Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar." - Zoom Entertainment
"Reports suggest the makers initially approached Tollywood superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni." - Asianet News
Conversely, some reporting appears to directly counter this narrative. One outlet states that Nagarjuna has denied rumors of being offered the role, creating a clear divergence in the presented evidence.

"Nagarjuna denies rumors of being offered the role of Rehman Dakait in ‘Dhurandhar’." - Andhravilas.net
Conflicting Accounts of Nagarjuna's Decision
The alleged reasons for Nagarjuna's potential refusal also vary across reports. The most commonly cited explanation involves scheduling conflicts.
Claimed Reason: Date clashes with "Coolie" and "Kuberaa."
Implication: This suggests a logistical rather than a creative rejection of the role.
Counter-Claim: Direct denial of ever being offered the role.
Implication: This directly refutes the premise of the initial reports.
Akshaye Khanna's Role and "Dhurandhar"'s Success
Regardless of the casting history, Akshaye Khanna's performance as Rehman Dakait in "Dhurandhar" has been a significant focal point. Many articles emphasize the positive reception and critical acclaim he received.
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Impact: Akshaye Khanna's portrayal is described as having made him an "overnight sensation" and a "career boost."
Film's Reception: "Dhurandhar" itself is noted as a "record-breaking blockbuster" with Khanna's role being a "large part of its success."
Sequel Mentions: Some reports indicate that Akshaye Khanna is expected to reprise his role in a sequel, "Dhurandhar: The Revenge."
Expert Analysis and External Perspectives
Direct expert analysis on the validity of Nagarjuna's claim or Akshaye Khanna's casting is not prominently featured in the provided summaries. The focus remains on reporting the alleged statements and the general reception of the film and its actors.
Lack of Independent Verification: The summaries do not include independent fact-checking from film industry analysts or casting directors.
Media Framing: The narrative appears driven by actor statements and subsequent media interpretations.
Conclusion and Unresolved Questions
The reported initial casting preference for Nagarjuna in "Dhurandhar," as contrasted with Akshaye Khanna's successful portrayal, presents a developing story with conflicting information. While several sources suggest Nagarjuna was offered the role of Rehman Dakait and declined due to scheduling conflicts, at least one report indicates Nagarjuna has denied receiving such an offer. The extent to which Nagarjuna's claims are factually established, or if they represent an ongoing rumor, remains a key area for further clarification. The success of Akshaye Khanna in the role is a consistently reported outcome across all articles.
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Core Discrepancy: Whether Nagarjuna was offered the role or merely considered remains a point of contention.
Credibility of Sources: The divergence in reporting suggests a need to scrutinize the directness of Nagarjuna's statements and the outlets reporting them.
Impact on Akshaye Khanna: The prevailing narrative unequivocally supports Akshaye Khanna's strong performance and the positive impact it had on his career.
Sources:
Timesnownews.com: https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/nagarjuna-first-choice-for-dhurandhar-instead-of-akshaye-khanna-actor-reacts-rehman-dakait-fact-check-article-153614366 - Reports on claims and discussions, notes lack of official confirmation.
Hindustantimes.com: https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/dhurandhar-not-akshaye-khanna-but-nagarjuna-was-first-choice-for-rehman-dakait-actor-reveals-truth-reviews-ranveer-film-101771071644943.html - Focuses on Nagarjuna revealing his perspective and Akshaye Khanna's performance.
Zoomtventertainment.com: https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/bollywood/ranveer-singh-aditya-dhar-dhurandhar-2-nagarjuna-reaction-article-153614729 - Presents claims about Nagarjuna being offered the role and reasons for declining.
Bollywoodlife.com: https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/not-akshaye-khanna-but-this-superstar-was-the-first-choice-for-rehman-dakaits-role-in-aditya-dhars-dhurandhar-actor-reveals-3318747/ - Highlights that an actor revealed they were the first choice.
Republicworld.com: https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment/bollywood/dhurandhar-s-rehman-dakait-role-was-first-offered-to-nagarjuna-here-s-the-truth - States "Here's The Truth" regarding the casting rumor.
Asianetnews.com: https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/entertainment/did-you-know-this-tollywood-superstar-was-the-original-choice-for-rehman-dakait-2389xgz - Reports that a Tollywood superstar was the initial choice.
Andhravilas.net: https://andhravilas.net/nagarjuna-on-dhurandhar-akshaye-khanna-was-he-the-original-choice-for-rehman-dak/ - Directly states Nagarjuna denies rumors of being offered the role.
DNAIndia.com: https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-not-aditya-dhar-abbas-mustan-but-this-superstar-realised-true-potential-of-akshaye-khanna-netizens-thank-him-for-casting-dhurandhar-actor-in-3194485 - Discusses Akshaye Khanna's performance in other films, not directly related to "Dhurandhar" casting rumors.