Bollywood’s beloved couple, Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar, have been married since January 17, 2001, and are often seen celebrating special occasions like Karwa Chauth, anniversaries, and birthdays. However, director Suneel Darshan has recently shed light on a lesser-known chapter of their marriage, revealing that Twinkle once left Akshay due to rumors involving actress Priyanka Chopra.
The Allegations
During an interview with the YouTube channel Friday Talkies, Suneel Darshan disclosed that Akshay and Priyanka’s alleged romantic involvement affected the actor’s relationship with his wife. Darshan, who was directing the 2005 film Barsaat, shared that Akshay initially started shooting for the film alongside Priyanka, but rumors of an affair caused friction in his personal life.
“Akshay Kumar was the hero of Barsaat. As the film started, he faced some ‘ajeeb sa problem’ with his wife. Barsaat had already started shooting with Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. The film was supposed to be shot in one schedule and five days before the schedule, Akshay called me and asked me to meet,” Suneel said during the interview.
Akshay Admits to Mistakes
The director further explained that when he met Akshay, the actor admitted to having made some “blunders” that led to his decision to leave the film. “Kuch blunder aise ho chuke thay (He did some blunders),” Akshay reportedly told Suneel. The rumours about his alleged affair with Priyanka had caused significant tension in his marriage, leading Twinkle to leave their home.
“As an actor, you have to be responsible. If your wife has been an actress, she knows everything about the industry and she has also worked with all the big stars. She knew everything,” the director added, highlighting Twinkle’s deep understanding of Bollywood.
No Blame on Priyanka Chopra
Despite the situation, Suneel Darshan clarified that he did not blame Priyanka Chopra for the rumors. “I don’t blame Priyanka Chopra for this. She was doing what was in her own interest,” he stated.
Akshay’s Exit and Bobby Deol’s Entry
Akshay’s departure from Barsaat opened the door for Bobby Deol, who expressed his interest in working with the director. Bobby eventually replaced Akshay in the film, starring opposite Priyanka Chopra and Bipasha Basu. Barsaat went on to receive mixed reviews and moderate box office success.
