The 1990s were a golden era for Akshay Kumar, especially with his blockbuster Khiladi series. Among them, the 1996 superhit ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’ created waves at the box office with its mix of action, romance, and unexpected twists.
Star Cast and the Undertaker Surprise
Directed by Umesh Mehra, the film featured Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Rekha, and Gulshan Grover in lead roles. But the biggest surprise was the appearance of WWF wrestler "The Undertaker" (Brian Lee). The much-hyped fight sequence between Akshay and the Undertaker gave the film a roaring start. During filming, Akshay even injured his back after lifting the wrestler.
Dimple Kapadia Was the First Choice
Interestingly, the female lead for the villain's role was initially offered to Dimple Kapadia. The story also required a bold number, "In the Night No Control," which was supposed to be filmed with Akshay and Dimple. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Dimple opted out, and Rekha stepped into the role instead. Fate had its own plans-nobody knew back then that Akshay would one day marry Dimple's daughter, Twinkle Khanna.
Rekha-Akshay's Chemistry Sparked Rumors
Once Rekha joined the cast, the bold song was shot between her and Akshay. Soon after, gossip columns were abuzz with rumors about a special bond between the two stars. The buzz grew so strong that it was said Raveena Tandon felt uneasy about it. Some even claimed it was nothing more than a smart publicity stunt.
The Film's Fate and Destiny's Twist
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi turned out to be a massive hit, cementing its place among the most iconic films of the 90s. Although Akshay never got to romance Dimple on screen, destiny played its game-he eventually became her real-life son-in-law. Looking back, both Akshay and Dimple might agree that everything turned out for the best.
