Akshaye Khanna’s Rare Gesture for Sunny Deol on ‘Ikka’ Sets Leaves Fans Surprised: ‘I Don’t Want Him Waiting for Me’

The much-anticipated courtroom drama ‘Ikka’ is already creating buzz, but not just for its gripping storyline. The film marks the long-awaited reunion of Akshaye Khanna and Sunny Deol, two iconic stars of the 1990s, who are sharing screen space again after nearly three decades.

Their last collaboration was the cult war film ‘Border’ in 1997, and fans have been eager to see them together once again. But beyond the excitement of their on-screen return, director Siddharth P Malhotra has now revealed a touching off-screen moment that has added even more intrigue around the film.

Speaking about the chemistry between the two actors, Malhotra shared that Akshaye holds immense respect for Sunny — something he believes reflects the professionalism of that generation of actors.

The director recalled an incident from the sets of ‘Ikka’ that left a strong impression on him. According to him, whenever both actors had scenes together, Akshaye would insist on arriving on set before Sunny Deol.

His reason? He did not want the senior actor waiting for him.

Malhotra revealed that Akshaye would specifically ask the team to call him first and only inform Sunny after he had reached the set. For the director, it was a simple but powerful gesture that showed Akshaye’s humility and character.

The reunion comes at an interesting time in both actors’ careers. Akshaye Khanna, who recently grabbed massive attention for his viral appearance as Rehman Dakait in ‘Dhurandhar’, has remained one of Bollywood’s most private stars. Despite the online frenzy, the actor has largely stayed away from public appearances and social media.

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On the other hand, Sunny Deol, despite being known as a reserved personality off-screen, brings a very different energy on set.

Malhotra described Sunny as the “father figure” of the set — someone who keeps the atmosphere light, cracks jokes, and makes everyone feel comfortable. He also added that while Sunny can be shy in public, especially around strangers, he is far more open and warm in a working environment.

The director also spoke about learning from Sunny’s resilience, especially after seeing him navigate difficult phases in life and career before making a powerful comeback.

As for ‘Ikka’, the Netflix original promises a gripping legal thriller packed with emotional conflict and ethical dilemmas.

The story follows Arjun Mehra (Sunny Deol), an honest and uncompromising defence lawyer, who is forced to defend Shauryamann Gaur (Akshaye Khanna) — a murder suspect and his former professional rival.

What unfolds is expected to be a tense courtroom battle filled with secrets, betrayal, and moral challenges.

With two powerhouse performers, a layered storyline, and years of cinematic legacy coming together, ‘Ikka’ is shaping up to be one of the most awaited OTT releases.