Akshay Khanna: Why He Never Married, Ex-Girlfriend & Crush

He’s one of Hindi cinema’s most gifted actors, yet Akshaye Khanna has masterfully kept his personal life off the front pages, choosing deliberate privacy and a firm stance against marriage while his contemporaries built public romances and families. This article pieces together the actor’s own words on commitment, his known relationships, and the fascinating story behind his long absence from the big screen.

Full Name: Akshaye Vinod Khanna ·
Born: March 28, 1975 ·
Occupation: Actor (Hindi cinema) ·
Marital Status: Unmarried ·
Notable Films: Border, Dil Chahta Hai, Gandhi My Father, Dhurandhar ·
Family: Son of Vinod Khanna, brother of Rahul Khanna

Here is a summary of Akshaye Khanna’s basic biographical details.

Why didn’t Akshay Khanna marry?

What is Akshaye Khanna’s view on marriage?

Akshaye Khanna has been remarkably candid about his bachelorhood. In a 2017 interview with The Times of India (leading Mumbai daily), he admitted, I have become more wary of relationships… I am more commitment-phobic and enjoy being alone. This wasn’t a fleeting sentiment. Years earlier, he told NDTV (major Indian broadcaster) he considered himself not marriage material and not cut out for that kind of life.

• NDTV reports he said marriage is a commitment he does not want.
• India Today (Indian news magazine) in 2025 framed his singlehood as a conscious choice for a carefree, responsibility-free life.
• A 14-year-old viral interview, noted by India Today, reinforced this preference for solitude.

Did Akshaye Khanna ever come close to marriage?

The most persistent rumor links him to actress Karisma Kapoor. The Times of India (film and culture section) photostory claims the two were on the verge of marriage, though this is not consistently supported by primary sources. A BollywoodShaadis (entertainment portal) piece also alleges a near-marriage, but with lower confidence.

The implication: several potential relationships have been reported, but none have been confirmed by either party as serious enough for marriage. The pattern is consistent—Akshaye Khanna steps back from commitment before it becomes public.

I have become more wary of relationships… I am more commitment-phobic and enjoy being alone.
— Akshaye Khanna, The Times of India, 2017

Who was Akshay Khanna in love with?

Who is Akshay Khanna’s ex-girlfriend?

Akshaye Khanna was reportedly in a relationship with a woman named Tara, identified by entertainment sources as a model and actress. The details of their relationship remain scarce—a deliberate choice by the actor, who has always kept his private life tightly guarded. The relationship did not lead to marriage, and Tara’s full identity has not been publicly confirmed by either party.

Who is Tara?

Tara’s background is one of the most persistent gaps in his biography. No verified interviews or public statements from her exist in the mainstream media record. The relationship is mentioned in passing by film industry trackers, but concrete information—including her full name, career, or timeline with Khanna—remains elusive.

The pattern is clear: even the most persistent rumors remain unconfirmed, reflecting Khanna’s success in controlling his narrative.

Which actress had a crush on Akshay Khanna?

Kareena Kapoor’s crush on Akshaye Khanna

Kareena Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, has publicly stated that she had a huge crush on Akshaye Khanna as a teenager. The admission has been reported by The Times of India (film coverage) and other outlets. While the crush was never reciprocated publicly, it remains one of the few concrete insights into his appeal from a fellow star’s perspective.

I had a huge crush on Akshaye Khanna as a teenager.
— Kareena Kapoor, The Times of India

Other actresses who expressed interest?

Beyond Kareena Kapoor, no other prominent actress has publicly confirmed a similar crush or relationship. This adds to the mystery of his private life—a man who could have been linked to many, but only confirmed the faintest connections.

The crush remains one of the few public glimpses into his appeal from a fellow star.

Lesser-known facts about ‘Dhurandhar’ star Akshaye Khanna

What is Akshaye Khanna’s background?

Born into Bollywood royalty, Akshaye Vinod Khanna is the son of legendary actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna and Geetanjali Khanna. His elder brother, Rahul Khanna, is also an actor. Despite his lineage, Akshaye has carved a reputation as an intensely private individual who rarely gives interviews.

• He debuted in the war epic Border (1997), which was a massive box office success.
• His breakthrough came with Dil Chahta Hai (2001), where his performance was critically acclaimed.
• He has won a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dil Chahta Hai.
• He is known for method acting and choosing unconventional roles.

His career highlights and hiatus

Akshaye Khanna’s career arc is unique: after a series of successes in the 2000s, including Gandhi My Father and the Race series, he abruptly went missing from the public eye. The hiatus lasted from approximately 2010 to 2017. He later described this period to The Times of India (entertainment desk) as torture because he could not work. He returned with Aiyaary (2018) and then vanished again before reappearing in Dhurandhar (2024).

The pattern: his career is punctuated by long gaps, which he has never fully explained. The only confirmed reason is a deep desire for solitude, which clashes with the demands of the film industry.

What happened with Akshay Khanna?

Why did Akshaye Khanna go missing?

From 2010 onward, Akshaye Khanna’s public appearances became increasingly rare. He stopped giving interviews, attending events, or engaging with the media. Co-stars from Dhurandhar have been asked about his whereabouts but offer only vague updates. The dominant theory is that he chose to step away from the noise of the industry.

• No official statement has been issued regarding his absence.
• Industry insiders speculate it was a deliberate withdrawal from the celebrity lifestyle.
• A YouTube entertainment summary documents the “long break” narrative attached to his public image.
• In early 2025, he was spotted at a pooja in Alibaug—his first public sighting in years.

His recent public appearances

His return with Dhurandhar in 2024 brought him back to cinema screens, but his interviews remained minimal. The paradox of his career: he can command the screen for two hours, yet says almost nothing about himself for two decades.

The trade-off: Akshaye Khanna has preserved his privacy at the cost of consistent box office presence. For fans, his rare appearances carry the weight of a bygone era.

I am not cut out for that kind of life.
— Akshaye Khanna, on the subject of marriage, NDTV

It was torture to not be able to work.
— Akshaye Khanna, on his hiatus, The Times of India

Akshaye Khanna has made his choices clear: privacy over publicity, solitude over marriage, quiet over the relentless buzz of Bollywood. For the Indian audience that grew up watching him in Dil Chahta Hai, the implication is simple—he will act when he wants to, and live the way he must. The rest of the story remains his alone, and that, perhaps, is exactly how he wants it.