Actor Saumya Tandon, who essays the role of Akshaye Khanna’s wife in Dhurandhar, has spoken candidly about her experience of sharing screen space with the veteran actor and the effortless connection that emerged between them on set.

Despite minimal interaction off camera, Saumya said their bond translated naturally on screen. Speaking about the experience, she explained that the chemistry didn’t require conscious effort. “I didn’t even have time to interact with Akshaye, but I genuinely think we had great chemistry. Somehow, just through our eyes, there was so much camaraderie between the two of us,” she said, adding that working with an actor of Khanna’s calibre made the process instinctive. “I didn’t have to work hard to build that connection because he’s such a seasoned actor. He is completely present in the moment.”

Saumya also recalled shooting one of the film’s most intense scenes — a pivotal slap sequence — and admitted she initially held back. In an interview with Mid-Day, she revealed that director Aditya Dhar encouraged her to perform the moment authentically. “Initially, I was trying to cheat during the slap scene. Then Aditya came to me and said, ‘Don’t fake it, just go for it,’” she shared.

Seeking reassurance, Saumya turned to her co-star before the take. “I looked at Akshaye and asked, ‘Should I go for it?’ and he very nonchalantly said, ‘Go for it.’ So I did,” she said. Though the moment was emotionally difficult for her, she credited Khanna’s calm professionalism for giving her the confidence to deliver the scene honestly.

“I felt terrible slapping him, but I just went ahead and did it,” she added, underscoring the trust and mutual respect that defined their collaboration.

Saumya Tandon’s reflections offer a glimpse into Akshaye Khanna’s understated working style — one that relies on presence, restraint and trust — and highlight how authentic performances often emerge not from preparation alone, but from shared intuition between actors.