New Delhi, June 29, 2026: The Indian television industry is reeling from a massive announcement over the weekend. Popular television actress Akanksha Chamola has officially confirmed that she and her husband, Anupamaa fame actor and Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna, are heading for a divorce. Dropping the bombshell during the high-profile premiere night of the reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa (Season 2) on Netflix India, Akanksha revealed that the couple has already been living separately for the past year.
In a subsequent episode of the jail-themed reality series, Akanksha opened up further about her life after the split. When questioned by fellow contestant Shreya Kalra about whether she would consider falling in love again, Akanksha gave a candid and liberating response. She stated that finding a new partner is entirely off her radar right now. Instead, she is choosing to focus entirely on herself, emphasizing, “I am not planning to fall in love again at the moment; I want to enjoy my freedom.” She also reflected on the timing of her past choices, noting that she had stepped into marriage at the young age of 24.
A Shocking Revelation on Reality TV
The announcement came as a bolt from the blue for thousands of fans who have followed the couple since they tied the knot in November 2016. While interacting with show hosts Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan, Akanksha chose the stage of Lock Upp 2 to unburden herself of the secret she had been carrying.
Despite the heavy nature of the news, Akanksha made it a point to clarify that the separation is completely amicable. She firmly put to rest any rumors of animosity or dramatic conflicts behind closed doors. She explained that their decision to part ways stems purely from a lack of long-term compatibility rather than any toxic fallout. According to her, they simply realized that their personal visions for the future were shifting in entirely different directions.
No Bad Blood, Just Different Paths
The actress took time to paint an accurate picture of their current equation, reassuring fans that they still maintain a civil relationship.
“Things are not bad between Gaurav and me,” she explained. “We still talk to each other. We don’t think we are compatible as partners because we see very different futures, and unfortunately, they’re not together. There is no bad blood.”
She further revealed that the initial separation took place around the time Gaurav was locked inside the Bigg Boss 19 house. During that period, both of their families hoped that a temporary physical separation might give them the necessary space to clear their heads, resolve their issues, and eventually revive the marriage. Because the duo continued to make public appearances together and support each other’s career milestones, extended family members and the public assumed things were getting back on track. However, Akanksha admitted that despite their best efforts to blend back together socially, the genuine internal feeling of being a married couple had permanently faded.
Re-emerging Past Discussions: The Decision on Parenthood
As news of the divorce spreads like wildfire across digital platforms, fans have begun revisiting past interviews and show clips to understand where the cracks began. Notably, an old video clip from Gaurav Khanna’s stint on Bigg Boss 19 has resurfaced and gone viral on social media. In the clip, Gaurav had opened up about a highly sensitive topic in their marriage: the choice to have children.
Gaurav had candidly shared with a co-contestant that Akanksha had decided she did not want to have children. While he admitted that he personally loves children and felt an emotional pinch as an individual, he strongly defended his wife’s autonomy. During a subsequent media interaction inside the house, an emotional Gaurav had stated:
While Gaurav had previously maintained that these differences would not pull them apart, public opinion is now divided on whether these deeply fundamental lifestyle differences contributed to their eventual incompatibility.
Looking Ahead: New Horizons for Both Actors
As both individuals navigate this major turning point in their personal lives, their professional calendars remain packed with high-profile projects.
Akanksha Chamola is currently locked inside the Lock Upp 2 house, sharing space with a star-studded lineup that includes prominent industry names like Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja, Shivangi Joshi, and Dheeraj Dhoopar. Her raw honesty right at the start of the season has already positioned her as one of the most talked-about and fiercely independent contestants of the edition.
On the other hand, Gaurav Khanna continues to enjoy immense professional success. Having recently won Bigg Boss 19, the actor is currently preparing to push his physical boundaries as a contestant on the upcoming action-adventure reality show, Khatron Ke Khiladi 15. Media outlets have reached out to Gaurav for an official statement regarding the divorce announcement, but the actor has chosen to remain tight-lipped for the time being.
Ultimately, Akanksha’s declaration that she wants to “enjoy her freedom” marks a refreshing, mature take on celebrity divorces in India. Rather than letting the narrative be driven by blame or malice, she is choosing to celebrate her autonomy, step out of the shadow of a nine-year relationship, and discover what life has in store for her next on her own terms.