Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi is enjoying a rare and deeply satisfying phase in his long career. His portrayal of Jameel Jamali, a shrewd and power-hungry Pakistani politician in Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster Dhurandhar, has struck a chord with audiences across borders. The praise, he says, has been overwhelming, unexpected, and immensely gratifying. Messages have poured in from “all over the world,” applauding not just the film but the nuance and restraint with which his character has been written and performed.

For an actor whose career has spanned decades across theatre, television, and cinema, Dhurandhar represents something special — not merely a commercial success, but a cultural moment. The film has already crossed ₹1186 crore at the global box office and continues its strong theatrical run, placing it firmly among the most successful Indian films of all time. Yet for Bedi, numbers alone do not define what makes this experience extraordinary.

Reflecting on the film’s reception, Bedi describes the success of Dhurandhar as something rare, almost impossible to replicate. “Phenomenal performances like these are once-in-a-lifetime occurrences,” he says. According to him, every actor and director hopes for such a wave at least once in their career — a moment when everything aligns: the script, the cast, the audience mood, and timing.

Much of the conversation around Dhurandhar has revolved around Akshaye Khanna, who plays the intense and morally complex Rehman Dakait. Many have described the performance as a “comeback,” but Bedi strongly disagrees with that narrative. In his view, Akshaye never left the industry in the first place.

“Akshaye was always in the game. He never left it,” Bedi says firmly. “Uski aur humari films lagti rehti hain. Koi kam chalti hai, koi zyada chalti hai. But that doesn’t mean he was ever out of showbiz.” Bedi points out that the idea of actors being “finished” between major successes is a flawed way of looking at the industry. Careers do not follow straight lines, and longevity often depends on persistence rather than constant visibility.

Bedi and Khanna shared several pivotal scenes in Dhurandhar, and their collaboration extended beyond the camera. The two actors engaged in long, thoughtful conversations during the shoot, discussing performances, characters, and the evolving nature of cinema. Bedi describes Akshaye as intensely intellectual, deeply committed, and quietly consistent — qualities that, in his opinion, have always defined his work.

The renewed spotlight on Akshaye, Bedi believes, is less about a return and more about recognition finally catching up with sustained craft. When a film of Dhurandhar’s scale works, it magnifies everything — performances, characters, and even careers — in a way smaller films often cannot.

Bedi is quick to contextualise this kind of success. In today’s industry, he notes, even the ₹100 crore benchmark is celebrated with enthusiasm, but films that generate lasting affection and cultural impact are far rarer. “Actors don’t get this kind of love with every film,” he says. To explain his point, he draws a parallel with Baahubali and its effect on Prabhas’s career.

“Ye once-in-a-lifetime success hota hai,” Bedi explains. “Jaise Baahubali thi. Bohot koshish ki gayi, lekin Prabhas ke liye bhi same cheez dubara repeat nahi hui.” According to him, such success cannot be manufactured or repeated at will, no matter how talented the actor or how big the production.

He expands on this idea by comparing Dhurandhar to timeless global classics. “You cannot label this kind of success,” Bedi says. “You cannot categorise the success of a film like The Godfather. These films exist in a space of their own.” For him, Dhurandhar has entered that rare category where box office numbers intersect with legacy.

Bedi’s own performance as Jameel Jamali has been widely praised for its subtlety. Rather than playing the character as a caricatured villain, he imbues him with ambition, insecurity, and political calculation. Jamali is not loud or flamboyant; he is dangerous precisely because of his quiet greed and strategic thinking.

To prepare for the role, Bedi immersed himself in research. “I studied some Pakistani politicians,” he says. “Then I made my own draft of how I would handle this character.” From there, he collaborated closely with director Aditya Dhar to refine Jamali’s arc and behaviour. “Aditya and I came to a common page on how we would carry it,” he explains, highlighting the collaborative nature of the process.

In the film, Jamali’s political ambitions intersect with the larger power struggles driven by Ranveer Singh’s character, to whom Bedi’s character is connected as an on-screen father-in-law. This relationship becomes increasingly significant as the story unfolds, adding layers of tension and intrigue.

While audiences are already speculating about a sequel, Bedi remains tight-lipped about what lies ahead. He hints that the second part, if and when it arrives, will feature even bigger twists and turns. “Ab meri political destiny Ranveer ke haath mein hai,” he says with a smile, before laughing off further questions. “Aage ki story kya hai, wo to main bilkul nahi bataunga.”

Outside of cinema, Bedi continues to remain deeply connected to theatre — the medium where he first honed his craft. He is set to perform next in Delhi and Gurgaon with his upcoming play, Massage, underscoring his belief that acting is not defined by medium or scale, but by sincerity and discipline.

At this stage of his career, Dhurandhar feels less like a peak and more like a powerful affirmation for Rakesh Bedi — proof that strong writing, thoughtful direction, and experienced actors can still create magic in a rapidly changing industry. And as for Akshaye Khanna, Bedi’s message is clear and unwavering: the actor was never gone — the world simply paused long enough to notice him again.