Actress Akanksha Chamola announced her divorce from actor Gaurav Khanna during the grand premiere of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa in July. Since leaving the show, she has been focused on rebuilding her identity beyond being known as Gaurav’s Wife. In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, Akanksha opens up about the challenges of “starting from scratch” after their separation and addresses the judgement she continues to face.
Making the shocking announcement on the stage of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, Akanksha Chamola had said, “Gaurav and I are getting a divorce. Yes, we have been separated and living separately for the last year. It has not been made public. It was a mutual decision. We have been sitting on it for the last year. Things are not bad between Gaurav and me. We still Talk to each other. We both don’t think that we are compatible as partners because we both see a very different future, and unfortunately, it’s not with each other.”
Also Read: Akanksha Chamola-Gaurav Khanna divorce: ‘He wants kids, I want to be child-free’
Recalling what that moment on stage felt like, Akanksha told SCREEN, “There was a lot of back and forth about sharing the news on stage. When I said it, there was pin-drop silence. Nothing was going on in my head when I revealed that secret about us getting divorced. At that moment, it was like I had to say it, and I thought it would be best to rush through it and be done with it. There was no other way for me to deal with it, so I just blabbered it out.”
While on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, Akanksha Chamola received a visit from Gaurav Khanna, who told her that she had faced considerable backlash following the divorce announcement. Sharing how she dealt with the backlash after stepping outside, she said, “I didn’t react to the backlash because it all fizzled out. I created the drama, but I couldn’t witness it. Now, only the stories come to me.”
Recalling Gaurav’s visit and how the information affected her, Akanksha added, “I was scared about the public lynching because he gave me that information. I entered the show with a mindset that I keep getting trolled publicly, and I am used to it. I anticipated what more could happen. When you are on the show, you don’t want to think about what’s happening outside, so you can perform really well. Suddenly, when you get that reality check, it affected my game. After that, my mind was not in the game. I only kept thinking if my family was okay. I kept thinking about why that information was given to me. I wish it hadn’t been shared with me at all. That was a struggle period for me. But I gathered as many pieces as I could, and I bounced back.”
On Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, Akanksha Chamola often spoke about rebuilding her life and identity beyond being known as “Gaurav Khanna’s wife.” While she had expressed concerns about having to start from scratch, Akanksha has now opened up about how her life changed after their separation. Akanksha said, “I want the world to know, it’s not easy for any Woman to decide to end one relationship, move out of it, and start their journey from scratch. When I say this, I mean it. The industry knows I have not been working for a good six years. I was homebound, and later to take this decision to step out of my marriage and start working. I don’t have a GodFather in the industry; I started from scratch. I started with Baby steps to build my own base.”
She further added, “It takes a lot of time to build that base. The struggle is harder. There are financial struggles, and being a single woman in Mumbai is very difficult. I am reaching out to people who are experienced. Ram sir always kept saying that my story was similar to what Gautami was going through. I would love to have as much help as I could. My family is supporting me, but Every woman would know the struggle of leaving everything behind and flying solo. Unfortunately, I have been so busy that I didn’t get to meet Gautami and Ram Sir after the show. I do want to reach out to them.”
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While Akanksha has found a place of her own in Mumbai, plans to move in have hit a pause. Explaining the delay, she shared, “Right now my house is at a halt. I have chalked out a place. I have to do the interiors, but I am not getting the time. I got injured, but I don’t have the time to rest. I am all over the place. Before I entered Lock Upp, I had chalked up one place. My family has been Born and bred in Mumbai, so it wasn’t very difficult.”
While Akanksha Chamola has faced her share of criticism over her separation from Gaurav Khanna, several celebrities, including Hina Khan , Rubina Dilaik, Abhinav Shukla and Orry, have also weighed in on their decision. Orry went so far as to call Akanksha “a snake in the grass who milked Gaurav Khanna’s fame.” Sharing how she deals with such judgements, Akanksha said, “I’m not affected by any other celebrity or actor talking about me, passing Comments, or even taking a sly dig at me. They are free to do that. I have been under public scrutiny, have been judged and criticized for a long time now. I have become so thick-skinned now that it doesn’t affect me anymore, so multiple Orrys can say whatever they like. If I am a snake, Ekta Ma’am, your Naagin is here.”
On the work front, Akanksha is collaborating with Balaji Telefilms for a digital IP on YouTube. She is also seen on Bharti Singh’s Indian Game Show.
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a Focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his High-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector. Experience & Career Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media: The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments. Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media. Expertise & Focus Areas Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include: Reality Television: Specialized coverage of Major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles. OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres. Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends. Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community. Authoritativeness & Trust With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More
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