Filmmaker Suneel Darshan revealed that Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty were close to marriage in the late 1990s. However,
conditions set by Shilpa's parents reportedly led to their separation, altering the course of their lives. Read on to
In the late 1990s, Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty were one of Bollywood’s most talked-about on-screen and off-screen
pairs. Their growing closeness sparked constant media buzz, and many believed the two were headed for marriage. But
years later, filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who worked closely with Akshay during that period, has now shared a lesser-known
side of their story, revealing that the relationship came close that it almost led to a wedding before unexpected
hurdles changed everything.
Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty almost got married
In a conversation with Bollywood Thikana, Suneel Darshan said that Akshay and Shilpa were almost set to marry, but
things fell apart due to certain conditions placed by Shilpa’s parents. According to him, these terms became a key
turning point, eventually leading to the actors parting ways. Without disclosing specific details, he explained that the
demands were meant to ensure Shilpa’s security, something he said most parents naturally want for their daughters.
Darshan recalled hearing that an astrologer close to Rajesh Khanna had once predicted Akshay would marry Twinkle Khanna,
but at the time, he didn’t think much of it. “They had no connection back then,” he said, adding that life took an
unexpected turn when Shilpa’s parents’ conditions reportedly remained unmet.
Looking back at how different things could have been, Darshan said that had those demands not come up, the course of
both actors’ lives might have been completely different. He described Akshay and Shilpa as a “good-looking pair” whose
journey changed due to circumstances beyond their control, adding that destiny eventually played its part.
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When asked whether those conditions were related to financial matters, Darshan explained that it involved “security of
all kinds.” While he acknowledged that parents often think this way for their child’s well-being, he personally felt
that the situation was unfortunate and added, “It simply wasn’t meant to happen.”
Akshay Kumar's reaction to the breakup
The filmmaker also addressed a long-standing curiosity, how Akshay handled the breakup. According to Darshan, the actor
did not appear heartbroken at the time. Instead, he was completely immersed in his work. Akshay was juggling big films
such as Dhadkan, Hera Pheri and Ek Rishta, and Darshan said the actor was coping well and staying focused on his career.
Soon after, life moved forward for both stars. Akshay eventually married Twinkle Khanna in 2001, and the couple now
shares two children. Shilpa Shetty went on to marry businessman Raj Kundra in 2009, and they, too, are parents to two
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