Bollywood stars consistently push boundaries for their craft, as seen with Akshaye Khanna filming in Ladakh’s thin air with an oxygen cylinder for ‘Dhurandhar’. Ajay Devgn braved sub-zero temperatures for ‘Shivaay’, while Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol endured Iceland’s chill for ‘Dilwale’. Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh also faced freezing conditions for ‘Tum Kya Mile’, showcasing immense dedication.
An audience judges a film, its characters, and the story within the three hours they spend inside a cinema hall. But what unfolds behind every scene is an entirely different world—one filled with effort, struggle, and extraordinary dedication. Film trivia, lesser-known facts, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes often reveal the depth of hard work that actors and crew members pour into their craft.Recently, Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’ has already started the year-end carnival of 2025 on a high note for Bollywood, as the film is receiving high praise across the nation. The film has been praised worldwide, with special attention on Akshaye Khanna’s unforgettable role as Rehman Dakait, particularly his viral entry song ‘Fa9la’ that has gripped social media. The dance step is already the talk of the town.But behind that song lies a story of grit and determination. In a recent interview, choreographer Vijay Ganguly revealed that Akshaye Khanna actually carried an oxygen cylinder throughout the shoot. The reason? The song, set to a track by Bahraini hip-hop artist Flipperachi, was filmed in the oxygen-thin terrain of Ladakh. The high altitude made even basic physical steps difficult, let alone a high-energy choreographed sequence. Because of the demanding conditions, the ‘FA9LA’ actor required constant oxygen support.“Akshaye would carry a small oxygen cylinder with him. When we were shooting, his oxygen level had dropped. After every shot, he would immediately put on the oxygen mask,” Vijay told Mid-Day, adding that the actor powered through the sequence with complete dedication before returning home to recover.
