Jul. 09, 2021|India|R
Genre: Action;Bollywood;Crime;Drama;Thriller
Description: This year marks the 20th anniversary of *Dil Chahta Hai*, a beloved buddy movie that has become a cult classic in Hindi cinema. Among its many memorable elements, Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Sidharth Sinha — a sensitive, mild-mannered artist who falls in love with an older divorcee — stands out as particularly cherished. It remains one of his most acclaimed roles. When asked if it’s one of his personal favorites, Khanna hesitates briefly before confirming with a yes.
While there’s already a wealth of trivia, interviews, and in-depth articles about *Dil Chahta Hai*, are there any untold anecdotes? Khanna humorously admits, “You’re asking the wrong person. My memory isn’t that great. But I can tell you it was a very happy time in my life and a joyful shoot.”
Much has changed in Khanna’s career since the film’s release, but one constant is his enjoyment of the filmmaking process. “Whether I’m involved in making films or simply watching them, it’s always been a source of joy for me.”
Khanna’s filmography reflects his versatility across genres. However, he’s expressed a desire for more action-oriented roles, which is why he eagerly accepted *State of Siege: Temple Attack*. In this film, directed by Ken Ghosh, he plays an NSG commando. The movie is inspired by the 2002 terrorist attack on Akshardham Temple in Gujarat.
This isn’t Khanna’s first time in a uniform or handling heavy weaponry. In his second film, *Border*, he portrayed a second lieutenant, and he later played a lieutenant in *LOC Kargil*. When asked about his fascination with such roles, he muses, “I suppose it’s something that captures your imagination. Action films are immensely popular worldwide, and I enjoy watching them repeatedly. Whether it’s a police officer, an army officer, or someone in similar professions, there’s an aspirational appeal to those roles.”
Cast director: Ken Ghosh
Cast actor: Akshaye Khanna, Manjari Phadnis, Vivek Dahiya, Gautam Rode, Abhimanyu Singh, Akshay Oberoi, Samir Soni, Shivam Bhaargava, Chandan Roy, Anushka Luhar
Original name: State of Siege: Temple Attack