In a surprising revelation, veteran filmmaker Suneel Darshan has shed new light on the once-sizzling romance between Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty in the 1990s, claiming the couple was seriously considering marriage before fate intervened.
Parents' Conditions Created Obstacles for the Couple
Speaking in a recent interview, Darshan, who has frequently collaborated with Akshay Kumar, disclosed that Shilpa Shetty's parents had set certain terms before agreeing to the match. When these conditions were not fulfilled, it created significant obstacles in the relationship's path. Darshan suggested this was a key reason behind their eventual split, though he refrained from detailing the exact nature of these demands.
"As parents, whatever the parents need for the security of their daughter. That's not wrong," Darshan stated initially. However, he later expressed his personal disagreement, adding, "I thought it was wrong of the parents. It was not destined to happen. Let's look at it that way." When probed if the conditions were financial, he clarified they pertained to "security of all kinds," a common concern for parents.
Destiny's Role: The Twinkle Khanna Prediction
Darshan highlighted the role of destiny, calling Akshay and Shilpa a "good looking couple" but noting that "destiny has its own plans." He recalled a fascinating anecdote involving an astrologer close to Rajesh Khanna, Twinkle Khanna's father. Years before Akshay and Twinkle met, this astrologer predicted they would eventually marry.
"They had nothing to do with each other at the time," Darshan admitted, saying he paid no heed to the prediction then. Reflecting on the turn of events, he found it ironic. "Look at the coincidence, had Shilpa's parents not placed those conditions, life would have taken a different turn."
Life After the Breakup: Careers and New Beginnings
Contrary to speculation, Darshan asserted that Akshay Kumar was not heartbroken after the split. "His heart was not broken. I thought he was doing well. He was coming back," the filmmaker said. The breakup occurred shortly before the filming of 'Ek Rishta', and Akshay reportedly immersed himself in work, juggling multiple projects like 'Dhadkan', 'Hera Pheri', and 'Ek Rishta' simultaneously.
Both stars eventually moved on to build successful personal lives. Akshay Kumar married Twinkle Khanna in 2001, and the couple is now parents to two children. Shilpa Shetty found her life partner in businessman Raj Kundra in 2009, and they are also a family of four. Their 1990s romance remains a notable chapter in Bollywood's history, now viewed through the lens of what might have been.
