Sakshi Khanna, Akshaye Khanna’s Half-Brother-The Filmmaker Working Quietly Behind the Scenes
Meet Akshaye Khanna's Half Brother Sakshi Khanna, Who Has Worked as an Assistant Director with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Milan Luthria
Although Akshaye Khanna has long been recognised as one of the most understated and respected actors of Hindi cinema, fewer people recognise his half-brother Sakshi Khanna, who has been silently carving a space for himself behind the scenes in Bollywood. Away from the arc lights and the red carpet, Sakshi has chosen a path rooted in filmmaking craft rather than stardom.
Sakshi Khanna is the son of the late veteran actor and politician Vinod Khanna from his second marriage to Kavita Khanna and, hence, the younger half-brother of Akshaye Khanna. Whereas Akshaye followed in the footsteps of their father as an actor, Sakshi was drawn to the direction and technical aspects of cinema early on.
He has worked as an assistant director with some of the most celebrated filmmakers in the industry, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Milan Luthria. Being on the sets of Bhansali is often claimed to be a masterclass in cinema since the director is known to pay great detail to every minute aspect of filmmaking, from grand visual aesthetics to emotionally rich storytelling. Working closely with such a filmmaker gave Sakshi first-hand exposure to large-scale productions, elaborate set designs, and the discipline required to execute visually opulent films.
Furthermore, Sakshi's collaboration with Milan Luthria indeed expanded his grasp of mainstream commercial cinema. Luthria blends strong narratives with mass appeal and has directed films in most genres; hence, this is much-needed experience for Sakshi to handle varied storytelling, actors, and production challenges.
Despite his illustrious lineage, Sakshi Khanna has been able to keep a pretty low profile. He is more about his work talking for him than using his family surname as a selling point. This quiet determination reflects a conscious effort to learn the ropes from the ground up, earning credibility through experience rather than privilege.
People who have worked with him term Sakshi as focused, hardworking, and deeply invested in the filmmaking process. His journey shuffles up an unseen side of Bollywood, where star kids do not always chase the spotlight but instead contribute meaningfully behind the camera. While Sakshi Khanna may not be a known face to the audience, his regularity with some highly acclaimed directors indicates his good prospects in store. Whether he eventually steps into independent direction or continues honing his skills behind the scenes, his journey stands as a reminder that cinema thrives as much on its unsung craftsmen as on its stars.
This article is authored by Sakshi, an intern from Deccan Chronicle.
