In a candid and humorous revelation, acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui once shared a personal story about his dating life, placing the blame for his romantic rejections squarely on the shoulders of fellow actor Akshaye Khanna. The amusing confession came to light during a promotional event for their 2017 film Mom, which also starred the late Sridevi.
The Hilarious Confession from a Press Interview
The incident took place during an interview with NDTV on January 2, 2026. While promoting the film, Nawazuddin Siddiqui interjected with a story from his bachelor days. He recounted facing consistent rejection from women he tried to court, and upon investigation, discovered a common thread: their admiration for Akshaye Khanna.
A modest Akshaye Khanna listened patiently as Nawaz narrated the tale, much to the amusement of Sridevi and the audience present. Nawazuddin explained that he would ask the women who turned him down about their ideal man, and their answers consistently pointed to Khanna. "I am honestly telling you that all those girls were his fans," Siddiqui stated.
Akshaye Khanna's 'Weird Hold' on Women
Delving deeper into the anecdote, Nawazuddin Siddiqui described the specific qualities that made Akshaye Khanna so appealing. "Someone used to talk about his smile, or someone would start talking about his eyes," he recalled. The Sacred Games actor summed it up by saying, "He had a weird hold on women, and he had a big fan following."
This statement prompted a surprised reaction from Akshaye Khanna himself, who exclaimed, "I had?" In a quick and diplomatic save, Nawazuddin clarified that women still adore Khanna, but his selective approach to films limits their opportunities to see him on screen.
A Plea for More Films from the Elusive Star
Nawazuddin Siddiqui concluded his story with a heartfelt wish shared by many fans. He emphasized that Akshaye Khanna's choosy nature and infrequent film appearances leave his admirers wanting more. "Hamari dua hai that he does more films," Nawaz said, expressing a common sentiment in the industry and among audiences.
This light-hearted story resurfaced as Akshaye Khanna once again found himself in the spotlight following his performance in Aditya Dhar's film Dhurandhar, for which he has been receiving significant praise. The anecdote underscores Khanna's enduring, albeit understated, appeal and charisma, which even a celebrated actor like Nawazuddin Siddiqui jokingly acknowledged as formidable competition.
