As Dhurandhar continues its strong theatrical run after its December 5 release, one unexpected breakout element from the film is the Arabic track FA9LA. Performed by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi, the song has triggered a massive social-media wave, aided further by Akshaye Khanna’s striking Balochi-style dance moves. Yet, the title’s unusual spelling has sparked widespread curiosity: Why is there a ‘9’ in FA9LA?
The answer lies in Arabizi, a digital-era hybrid script created by Arabic-speaking youths during the early internet boom. Arabizi uses English alphabets along with numerical symbols to represent Arabic letters that cannot be conveyed through standard Latin characters. The numeral 9 specifically stands in for the Arabic letter Saad, a deep, emphatic “s” sound with no direct English equivalent.
FA9LA = FASLA, With an Emphatic Twist
In the context of the song title, FA9LA is intended to be pronounced FASLA, but with the distinctive force of Saad at the center. Linguistic references also point out that in Bahraini Arabic, “fala” can loosely mean “a fun time” or “a lively moment”, which aligns seamlessly with the song’s upbeat party energy.
The track, first uploaded as Fa9la on YouTube in June 2024, has since gathered close to a million views. It has now become one of the most-used audio clips on Instagram Reels and X, drawing comparisons to the massive “Jamal Kudu” phenomenon from Animal.
Who is Flipperachi, the creator of FA9LA?
Flipperachi, real name Hussam Aseem, is a well-known Bahraini rapper and a major figure in the Arab hip-hop scene. He performs under his stage name and has built a strong following, with around 468,314 monthly listeners on Spotify.
According to reports, Aseem discovered his passion for music at just 12 years old and began rapping during his teenage years. He officially launched his professional music career in 2003.
Throughout his career, Flipperachi has teamed up with several international artists and even earned the title of Bahraini Artist of the Year in 2024.
Some of his most popular tracks include Ee Laa, Shino AlKalam Hatha, Shoofha, and Nayda.
The Fa9la Lyrics
The massive appeal of Fa9la comes from its powerful bass, hard-hitting beats, and signature Arabic rap energy. The track instantly amplifies Akshaye Khanna’s screen presence, giving his character Dhurandhar a heightened, larger-than-life aura the moment he appears.
Ya Akhi Doos, Doos Andi Khosh Fasla
Come on, bro, keep it going, keep it going, I’m in a great zone.
Ya Akhi Tfooz, Tfooz Wallah Khosh Raqsa
Bro, you’re winning, you’re winning, I swear that’s a killer dance.
Ya Akhi Doos, Doos Andi Khosh Fasla
Come on, bro, keep it going, keep it going, I’m in a great zone.
Ya Akhi Tfooz, Tfooz Wallah Khosh Raqsa
Bro, you’re winning, you’re winning, I swear that’s a killer dance.
How Akshaye Khanna Became Rehman Dakait
Beyond the music’s popularity, Dhurandhar is also earning attention for its sharply crafted character designs. Make-up and prosthetics expert Preetisheel, who shaped the visual identity of multiple characters in the film, recently shared insights on Instagram into creating Akshaye Khanna’s intimidating persona of Rehman Dakait.
She revealed that the team focused on subtle yet striking detailing, clean structures, controlled shading, and texturing that accentuated Khanna’s natural intensity without overshadowing the performance.
Preetisheel Breaks Down Rehman Dakait’s Look
According to her, the film demanded a cohesive visual language where every character, from leads to background players, appeared rooted in the same rugged world. Strategic use of scars, tanning, sweat, ageing effects, and intricate prosthetics contributed to building this lived-in aesthetic, while evolving hairstyles helped reflect emotional transitions and the passage of time.
She wrote, “Designing the legendary #akshayekhanna ‘s look for Dhurandhar was all about capturing the subtle intensity he brings to every frame. We built his appearance around clean structures, controlled detailing and tones that highlight his strong features without overpowering the character. Watching the look come alive through his performance made the entire process incredibly rewarding”.
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