Not Akshaye Khanna, But These Two Actors Were First Approached For JP Dutta's Border

Directed by JP Dutta, Border remains an iconic blockbuster that shattered box office records and continues to earn praise for its gripping storyline and stellar performances. The action drama, centred around the Indo-Pakistan war, featured an ensemble cast of Sunny Deol as Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, Jackie Shroff as Wing Commander Anand, and Sunil Shetty as Assistant Commandant Captain Bhairon Singh (BSF).

The star-studded premiere of Border saw the likes of Akshaye Khanna, Puneet Issar, Sudesh Beri, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda attending the screening. Akshaye Khanna portrayed Second Lieutenant Dharamvir Singh Bhan, Puneet Issar took on the role of Subedar Ratan Singh, and Sudesh Berry played Naib Subedar Mathura Das.

The film made history by using actual Hawker Hunters, real military aircraft that had seen action in wars, delivering scenes and moments that were unprecedented in Indian cinema. Border not only emerged as a massive hit but also earned the prestigious Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film for National Integration and three national awards. It proudly held the title of the highest-grossing film of 1997.

Akshaye Khanna, a newcomer at the time, made a remarkable impact with his standout performance, receiving widespread acclaim and establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Interestingly, media reports reveal that Akshaye Khanna wasn’t the initial choice for the role of Dharamveer Singh Bhan.

JP Dutta, the director, initially approached Salman Khan for the role, but Khan declined, expressing that he did not feel suited for the part. Following Salman’s refusal, Akshay Kumar was approached, but he, too, turned down the role. Subsequently, the director considered Ajay Devgan, who also declined. It was then that Akshaye Khanna, a budding actor at the time, stepped into the role and delivered a memorable performance.

Since Border, Akshaye Khanna has continued to make his mark in the industry. His recent appearance in Drishyam 2 garnered attention, and audiences eagerly await his upcoming projects, including Chaava, Legacy, and Drishyam 3.