Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Suneel Darshan Recalls Akshay-Shilpa Near Marriage, Career Revival
Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty once had a serious relationship.
They became close after acting together in a 1994 film.
Filmmaker Suneel Darshan said they were almost ready to get married.
He said misunderstandings eventually led to their breakup.
Akshay later married Twinkle Khanna.
Before Jaanwar, Akshay had several unsuccessful films.
Some producers reportedly stopped making films with him.
Jaanwar was released in 1999 and became a hit.
Darshan said the film gave Akshay’s career a major boost and helped put other films into production.
Suneel Darshan said Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty were nearly married before their relationship ended after misunderstandings.
Akshay and Shilpa reportedly grew close after working together in Main Khiladi Tu Anari in 1994.
The pair also appeared together in films including Jaanwar, Dhadkan and Insaaf.
Darshan said Jaanwar became a major career turning point for Akshay Kumar after several late-1990s flops.
He said producers had stopped backing Akshay’s films because they saw limited saleability and marketability.
- Who
- Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty, Twinkle Khanna and filmmaker Suneel Darshan.
- What
- Darshan recalled Akshay and Shilpa’s near-marriage, breakup and Akshay’s career revival through Jaanwar.
- When
- Akshay and Shilpa grew close after 1994; Jaanwar was released in 1999; Darshan discussed the events in a recent interview.
- Where
- The remarks were made during an interview with Minutes Of Masala.
- Why
- Darshan said misunderstandings ended Akshay and Shilpa’s relationship, while Jaanwar revived Akshay’s career after a series of flops.
- Interviewee
- Filmmaker Suneel Darshan
- Interview outlet
- Minutes Of Masala
- Relationship
- Darshan said Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty were almost married before breaking up after misunderstandings
- First reported collaboration
- Main Khiladi Tu Anari, released in 1994
- Career-revival film
- Jaanwar, released in 1999
- Career challenge
- Darshan said producers stopped backing Akshay after a string of unsuccessful films
- Later marriage
- Akshay Kumar later married Twinkle Khanna
