Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi has responded at length to filmmaker David Dhawan’s recent remark that his “chaal” or demeanor had changed following the massive success of the Dhurandhar film franchise. The comment, which initially surfaced during one of David Dhawan’s interviews, sparked widespread discussion among Bollywood fans after Rakesh Bedi’s popularity surged due to his role in the thriller series. The actor, however, maintained that fame and recognition had not altered his personality or outlook toward life.

Speaking to ETimes, Rakesh Bedi said he does not dwell on whether people change over time, adding that every individual evolves in different circumstances. Reflecting on his long journey in the film industry, the actor said he had witnessed both professional highs and difficult phases where work opportunities were limited. Despite those struggles, Bedi stated that he has always tried to remain emotionally balanced and unaffected by either success or failure. According to him, public recognition at this stage of his career has not changed the person he has always been.

The actor also directly addressed David Dhawan’s widely discussed statement that “Rakesh ki chaal badal gayi hai.” Bedi clarified that while people may perceive confidence differently after success, he personally believes he remains exactly the same individual. He noted that comments regarding his changed walk or personality do not impact him deeply and insisted that he has always carried himself in the same manner throughout his decades-long acting career. Earlier, in a brief response to Moneycontrol, Bedi had also dismissed the observation by saying, “My chaal was the same always.”

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David Dhawan, meanwhile, had spoken warmly about his friendship with Rakesh Bedi during an interview with Bollywood Hungama. The filmmaker revealed that the two have shared a bond spanning nearly five decades since their days together at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Dhawan praised Bedi as a talented performer who deserved recognition much earlier in his career. He remarked that audiences were only now fully discovering Bedi’s acting abilities despite the actor having consistently delivered strong performances for years.

Dhawan further said he could notice a visible spark and confidence in Bedi after the success of the Dhurandhar films, joking that even the actor’s style of walking appeared to have changed. The director recalled their early days at FTII, including being ragged together as classmates, and described the actor’s newfound popularity as well deserved. The comments were largely viewed as affectionate teasing between longtime friends rather than criticism, though they quickly gained traction across entertainment platforms and social media discussions.

Rakesh Bedi’s recent resurgence has largely been credited to his performance as Pakistani politician Jameel Jamali in the Dhurandhar franchise. The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, featured a major twist revealing his character as an Indian undercover operative who had orchestrated key events involving Hamza, played by Ranveer Singh. The revelation became one of the film’s biggest talking points and significantly boosted Bedi’s visibility among younger audiences. Over the years, Rakesh Bedi and David Dhawan have collaborated on several popular Hindi films, including Hero No. 1, Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge.

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