Sometimes, it only takes a few seconds on screen to spark a full-blown internet obsession. That’s exactly what happened with Akshaye Khanna after Dhurandhar’s song Fa9la went viral. While the track has been widely shared across Instagram and YouTube, it’s Akshaye’s powerful entry and commanding presence that have truly grabbed attention.
What many viewers may not realise is that the impact of that moment was carefully planned. Behind the scenes, every detail of Akshaye’s appearance was thoughtfully designed to make him stand out. A recent social media post shed light on this process, with the film’s costume designer revealing how his now-iconic look from the song came together.
Although Akshaye’s spontaneous dance moves added an unexpected charm to the performance, his outfit was anything but improvised. The designer explained that the team was clear from the beginning that his look would be entirely black, helping him remain the visual focus of the frame. There were discussions around the colour of the pagdi, but the final choice of white created a strong contrast that helped his character cut through the bright, colourful surroundings of the song.
The silhouette was equally important. The team wanted the outfit to reflect the essence of Balochi culture, which led them to choose a traditional Pathani-style look. To suit Akshaye’s frame, the ensemble was paired with a semi-Balochi salwar made using several metres of fabric, giving it both volume and authenticity.
For the kurta, a slim-fit black design was chosen, featuring a structured collar, shirt-style cuffs and fine detailing along the edges. Subtle leather accents, matte-finish buttons and clean tailoring added depth without overpowering the look. The fabric itself was carefully selected, blending softness and structure while avoiding overly glossy textures.
Initially, there was an idea to include a classic jacket, but the final decision leaned towards a more refined option that complemented the outfit better. The finishing touch was a black stole, adding elegance and balance to the overall appearance.
The effort behind Akshaye Khanna’s look has clearly paid off. What was meant to support a song sequence has now become one of the most talked-about visual moments of Dhurandhar, proving once again that thoughtful design can turn a performance into a viral sensation.
