Akshaye Khanna’s ‘Dhurandhar’ rise is matched only by the wildly eccentric, witty, and moving family history that shaped him, from cricket legends to theatrical Parsi icons.
Akshaye Khanna is dominating conversations with his understated yet magnetic portrayal of the unpredictable Karachi ganglord Rehmaan Dakait in Dhurandhar. Fans are calling it “aura farming”, the subtle charisma, the underplayed menace, and the quiet intensity that swallows the screen. But beyond the screen, Akshaye’s story is equally fascinating, rooted in a rich Parsi and Punjabi, a mixed lineage and a family history full of quirks, humour, and theatrical eccentricities.
Parsi Pedigree & Broadcasting Legacy
Akshaye’s mother, Geetanjali (Gitanjali) Taleyarkhan, came from a household where public life and cultural authority were family business. Akshaye’s mother, Geetanjali Taleyarkhan, was the daughter of Ardeshir Furdorji Sohrabji “Bobby” Talyarkhan, better known as A.F.S. Taleyarkhan, one of India’s earliest and most legendary cricket commentators. His radio commentaries were exhaustive and superhuman: he narrated entire days of cricket without interruption, making players household names across the nation.
Vinod Khanna married Geetanjali Taleyarkhan in 1971 in a heartfelt and intimate ceremony in Mumbai. Born in Peshawar in 1946, Geetanjali moved to Mumbai with her family post-Partition, bringing with her a spirit of resilience and grace. The couple’s journey began when they met through a theater group, where their shared passion for art and life quickly sparked a deep connection.
Geetanjali married Vinod Khanna in 1971 after years of courtship. Vinod, born in Peshawar, was a rising actor of Punjabi descent, while Geetanjali brought her South Bombay Parsi heritage into the marriage.
The couple had two sons, Akshaye and Rahul Khanna. Akshaye was five in 1980 when his father left a flourishing career in Bollywood in pursuit of his spiritual journey in the Oregon Ashram of ‘Osho’ Rajnish. In 1985, Vinod Khanna and Geetanjali were a divorced couple.
