Akshay Kumar is lining up one of the most personal parts of his recent career. The actor, who is reuniting with filmmaker Neeraj Pandey for the R D Burman biopic led by Farhan Akhtar, will now step into the role of Rajesh Khanna, giving the film an added emotional charge because of his family connection to the late superstar.
That detail instantly changes the texture of the casting. Rajesh Khanna and R D Burman shared one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved creative equations, and recreating that bond on screen demands more than just star value. With Akshay coming on board for the part, the biopic gains a layer of lived familiarity that makes this cameo feel far more significant than a routine special appearance.
Akshay Kumar Joins The Film As Rajesh Khanna
Box Office Worldwide has exclusively learned that Akshay Kumar will play Rajesh Khanna in the R D Burman biopic, with Farhan Akhtar essaying the legendary composer’s role. A source said, “The dynamic of Rajesh Khanna and R D Burman was special, and the makers are looking to recreate this on the screen. And the obvious choice to play the part is Akshay Kumar, given the family equation he shares with Twinkle Khanna and Dimple Kapadia.”
The source also added, “Akshay is a big Rajesh Khanna fan, and was extremely fond of the yester-year superstar, who also happens to be his father-in-law. He has allotted 10 days to shoot for the film, which goes on floors in October 2026.”
The film is being directed by Neeraj Pandey and produced by Excel Entertainment. With Farhan Akhtar playing R D Burman, the project is shaping up as a period recreation that will likely bring several era-defining personalities into its narrative world.
Why This Rajesh Khanna Cameo Stands Out In Akshay Kumar’s Current Phase
What makes this casting beat more interesting is where it lands in Akshay’s present run. Over the last two years, he has continued to headline broad commercial entertainers such as Housefull 5, while 2026 has also seen him associated with titles like Bhooth Bangla, Welcome to the Jungle and Haiwaan, underscoring how heavily he remains invested in mainstream star vehicles. Against that backdrop, a tightly timed appearance in the R D Burman biopic feels like a deliberate emotional choice rather than just another addition to an already crowded slate. Sources say he has set aside only 10 days for the shoot, but the role carries the weight of portraying his own father-in-law on screen.
That is precisely why this development lands with more force than a standard cameo announcement. At a stage when Akshay is balancing franchise films, ensemble spectacles and new releases across genres, this part offers him a chance to briefly inhabit a figure tied not only to Hindi cinema history but also to his own family. In a film centred on R D Burman’s legacy, that personal resonance could end up becoming one of its most talked-about elements.
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