Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and author Twinkle Khanna have one of the most celebrated relationships in the industry, and it all began with a unique bet. While the couple first met as co-stars on a film set in the 1990s, they officially sealed the deal in 2001 after an unconventional agreement. In a candid conversation on the show Aap Ki Adalat, Akshay revealed the legendary story of how the box office failure of Aamir Khan’s film Mela paved the way for their marriage.
Akshay recalled proposing to Twinkle when her highly anticipated film, Mela, was about to be released. At the time, they were having an affair, but Twinkle was not ready to commit to marriage. “Let’s get married?” Akshay asked. She gave him a condition, stating that she would only marry him if Mela did not do well at the box office. Everyone in the industry, including Twinkle, had full confidence in the film, which featured a star-studded cast and was directed by Dharmesh Darshan. It was considered a guaranteed hit.
However, as destiny would have it, the film underperformed. “Sorry Aamir Khan sahab, that film of yours didn’t work. But I got married because of you,” Akshay quipped with a laugh, giving a humorous nod to the film’s role in his love story. Their wedding was just as unconventional as the bet itself. They got married on the terrace of a friend’s house in a small, intimate ceremony. Akshay revealed that they were both shooting separately until 6 pm on their wedding day, a testament to their busy professional lives.
Twinkle Khanna-Akshay Kumar Love story
Over their years of marriage, Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna have become famous for their contrasting yet complementary personalities. Twinkle, a best-selling author and columnist, has a well-known “no filter” attitude. She speaks her mind, a quality that initially surprised Akshay. He recounted an incident early in their marriage when he took her to a trial show of one of his films. When the producer asked her how she liked it, she bluntly replied, “It’s a sh*t movie.” A shocked Akshay thought the producer would never cast him again. He tried explaining the need for diplomacy to Twinkle, but she simply stated, “No, I am like this. I’ll call a spade a spade.” This candidness has become her trademark, both in her writing and her public appearances.
Twinkle recently revealed on her new chat show, Two Much, that Akshay even has a codeword for her when he wants her to be quiet: “chashma pehen lo (wear your glasses).” This playful signal is a nod to her unfiltered nature and a part of their hilarious relationship dynamic.
Akshay admitted that their differing views go beyond just diplomacy. “She thinks left, and I think right. We’re completely different,” he explained. However, he emphasized that their marriage works because their few similarities are so strong that they make up for the big differences. “There’s one thing common between us — we both like to sleep and wake up early. So, that has made our life very simple. We also like watching films. We also don’t like parties and going out. So, things begin to match gradually. The 20% similarities are so strong that they make up for the 80% dissimilarities.”
The Jolly LLB 3 actor also revealed their shared love for horror films. “She likes to watch horror films only with me. She feels a little scared, but enjoys it too. But she can’t watch it alone. She always watches with me,” he said. This small, shared passion highlights the simple joys that define their long-lasting relationship. Twinkle, who has since become a successful writer and interior designer, never looked back at her acting career. Her decision to pivot to writing has proven to be a resounding success, and she has never missed the profession she never truly wanted.
On the work front, Akshay Kumar will next be seen in Priyadarshan’s horror comedy Bhooth Bangla, which is scheduled for release next year.