Dhurandhar Actor Reveals Akshaye Khanna’s Reaction To Viral FA9LA Hook-Step: 'He Knew He Had Killed It'
The infectious "FA9LA" hook step from the hit film Dhurandhar has taken the world by storm, and now, actor Danish Pandor is shedding light on Akshaye Khanna's reaction to the dance's viral success. The song "FA9LA" (pronounced Fasla), a Bahraini hip-hop track by Flipperachi and Daffy, produced by DJ Outlaw, translates to "fun time" or "party," perfectly capturing the celebratory vibe of the movie.
Pandor, who starred alongside Khanna in Dhurandhar, revealed that the now-iconic dance move was largely improvised by Khanna himself. "When we were shooting the song, we didn't expect such a response at that point of time," Pandor shared in an interview. "But when he performed, that was a beautiful moment. It was quite unexpected, he did it very beautifully. It was all his step that he had done at that very moment. Everybody felt that it was amazing, too good".
According to Pandor, the choreography for the scene, which features Khanna's character Rehman Dakait, a powerful Pakistani crime lord, entering to meet his Balochi people, wasn't initially planned. Vijay Ganguly was choreographing the entire sequence, but Khanna spontaneously asked if he could dance. Director Aditya Dhar encouraged him to do whatever he felt natural.
"He just stood and asked if he could dance and the moment the shot arrived, we all started applauding after that," Pandor recalled. "People loved the whole build-up of the scene, the entire atmosphere". The actor's impromptu performance stunned the cast and crew, who immediately recognized the magic of the moment. The filmmakers released the full song after the clip went viral.
The "FA9LA" hook step has since become a global phenomenon, dominating social media platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Countless individuals have recreated the dance, adding their own unique flair to the trend. Recently, a heartwarming video of a new father celebrating the birth of his daughter by dancing to the "FA9LA" hook step in a hospital room went viral, capturing the joyful spirit of the song.
The video touched the hearts of many, including actress Yami Gautam Dhar, wife of Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar, who reshared the clip and declared it the "winner" of the trend. Aditya Dhar also chimed in, calling it an "Absolute Winner!!".
The film Dhurandhar, which was released on December 5, 2025, has been a box office success, earning ₹160 crore in its opening weekend. Starring Akshaye Khanna, Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun, the film has captivated audiences with its storyline, performances, and music.
The "FA9LA" craze has also sparked conversations about Akshaye Khanna's resurgence in Bollywood. Actor Dino Morea praised Khanna and Bobby Deol for their recent performances, noting how the internet has amplified their reach. "The way Bobby has got his chance to shine in 'Animal' and Akshaye in 'Dhurandhar' is incredible," Morea said. He added that digital platforms have transformed visibility, allowing clips and songs to spread faster and wider than ever before.
