# Unveiling the Quiet Intensity: Neeta Lulla's Heartwarming Memory of Akshaye Khanna on the Set of *Taal* Did you know Bollywood's **Dhurandhar star Akshaye Khanna** was once described as having "little to say but very cooperative" by legendary designer Neeta Lulla during the making of the iconic 1999 musical *Taal*?[1] This throwback revelation from Lulla shines a fresh light on Akshaye's enigmatic persona, especially as he dominates headlines today with his powerhouse role as Rehman Dakait in the blockbuster *Dhurandhar*.[4][5][7] Back in *Taal*, directed by Subhash Ghai and powered by A.R. Rahman's magical soundtrack, Akshaye starred alongside Aishwarya Rai and Anil Kapoor in a tale of romance, music, and ambition that still resonates 25 years later.[1][3] Akshaye himself hailed it as the pinnacle of Ghai-Rahman collaborations, praising Rahman's tunes and Anand Bakshi's "simple yet beautiful" lyrics.[1][3] Neeta Lulla, who crafted the film's award-winning costumes—including Aishwarya's timeless looks that blended minimalism with stardom—recalled Akshaye's soft-spoken yet reliable vibe on set.[2][3][6] Her outfits not only won her Best Costume Design at awards like the Screen Awards and IIFA but also captured the film's evolution from rural simplicity to glamorous ascent, making *Taal* a fashion milestone ahead of its time.[2][3][6] Imagine the behind-the-scenes synergy: Akshaye, in his second on-screen pairing with Aishwarya after *Aa Ab Laut Chalen*, bringing quiet focus amid the beats of hits like those sung by Sukhwinder Singh.[1][3] Fast-forward to now, and Akshaye's selective brilliance continues— from immersive character work in *Chhaava* to spontaneous viral dance moves in *Dhurandhar*'s *FA9LA* track, shot in Ladakh despite high-altitude challenges.[4][5][7] Lulla's anecdote reminds us why he's a "dhurandhar" (mastermind) star: understated off-screen, explosive on it.[1]
*Akshaye Khanna's signature intensity – a still capturing the essence of his cooperative yet reserved style on set (Unsplash free stock image).*
Citations
1.https://muktaarts.com/Media/Media-Speaks/taal-at-25-if-not-for-ar-rahmans-magical-tunes-would-aishwarya-rai-akshaye-khanna-anil-kapoor-film-still-be-a-hit.php
2.https://m.rediff.com/us/2000/apr/18us2.htm
3.https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/7-awards-director-gave-11-straight-hits-this-aishwarya-rai-film-passed-the-test-and-broke-several-box-office-records-aa-ws-l-9837080.html
4.https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/how-dhurandhar-star-akshaye-khanna-reacted-when-mukesh-chhabra-offered-him-rehman-dakait-role-10198271
5.https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/during-dhurandhar-viral-song-shoot-in-ladakh-akshaye-khannas-oxygen-level-dropped-reveals-choreographer-9776611
6.https://www.idiva.com/entertainment/bollywood/aishwarya-rai-bachchans-onscreen-looks-in-taal-the-hindi-musical-which-made-waves-in-nineties-box-office/18047501
7.https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/what-akshaye-khanna-said-about-internet-reactions-to-his-viral-dhurandhar-dance-reveals-mukesh-chhabra-mazza-aa-gaya-9838939
8.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/african-ambassadors-seek-tie-ups-with-haryana-across-key-sectors/articleshow/128319693.cms
9.
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