Actress Tilottama Shome has revealed how co-star Akshaye Khanna maintained a deep, unbroken connection with his character throughout the shoot of the Netflix crime thriller 'Ikka', describing him as someone she 'never really saw outside that space' on set.

Akshaye Khanna's Method on Set

Speaking about Khanna's working style, Tilottama noted that his reserved on-set demeanour was inseparable from his character's emotional demands. 'His character also demanded that kind of energy. Every actor has a different process. Some actors are laughing and joking until the director calls action, and then they instantly switch into character. Others prefer to stay quiet and mentally prepare themselves,' she said.

'Akshaye came to the set carrying the emotional energy of his character and remained in that zone throughout the shoot. I never really saw him outside that space,' she added. Khanna's portrayal in the film — as Shauryamann Gaur, a former rival embroiled in a high-profile attempted murder trial — received widespread appreciation for its intensity and screen presence.

Sunny Deol: Warmth in Silence

Tilottama also opened up about working alongside Sunny Deol, who plays celebrated defence attorney Arjun Mehra in the film. She described Deol as a deeply introverted person whose quiet presence had an unexpectedly calming effect on the set.

'Sunny sir is a very introverted person, and so am I. People often assume actors are naturally extroverted because we face the camera, but that's not always true. What I loved about him was that even in his silence, there was tremendous warmth. Sometimes a person's silence can make the atmosphere uncomfortable, but his silence made everyone around him feel relaxed,' she said. 'Whenever we spoke, he was always kind, respectful and extremely generous. He is a true gentleman, something that feels increasingly rare today.'

Tilottama's Role and the Iconic Dialogue Twist

In 'Ikka', Tilottama essays Madhura Banerjee, a determined public prosecutor who squares off against Deol's character in a tense courtroom battle. In a notable creative touch, her character delivers Sunny Deol's iconic 'Dhai Kilo Ka Haath' dialogue — turning his own legendary line against him during their courtroom confrontations.

This inversion of one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable lines added a layer of meta-commentary to the narrative, and has been among the talking points surrounding the film since its release.

About 'Ikka'

Directed and produced by Siddharth P. Malhotra, 'Ikka' premiered on Netflix on 10 July 2025. The film centres on lawyer Arjun Mehra, whose unwavering belief in justice is tested when he defends his former rival Shauryamann Gaur, played by Akshaye Khanna, in a high-stakes attempted murder case. The ensemble cast and courtroom setting have drawn comparisons to classic legal thrillers in Indian cinema.

With its release generating considerable buzz, 'Ikka' marks another chapter in the ongoing creative resurgence of both Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna on streaming platforms.