Akanksha Chamola says she's misunderstood for being Gaurav Khanna's wife; opens up about her divorce and asexuality

In a surprising turn of events, Akanksha Chamola, a former contestant on the reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, used her platform to address rumours about her marriage to actor Gaurav Khanna and to discuss her personal life in a candid interview aired last month. The 26‑year‑old, who entered the show as a new participant, attracted headlines when she announced that she is divorcing Khanna and that she no longer wishes to have children.

During the show’s Judgment Day episode, which marked the end of week three, Chamola was placed in the “at‑risk” group alongside Sufi, Yogesh, Harshad and Shivangi. Co‑hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh had the power to save one contestant and unanimously chose Chamola, praising her for speaking her truth with “grace and conviction.” She expressed relief and gratitude, noting that the decision felt like a validation after months of being “misunderstood” across the country for her behaviour as a wife.

Chamola and Khanna tied the knot on 24 November 2016 in a lavish three‑day celebration in the actor’s hometown of Kanpur. The pair met during an audition and reportedly fell in love before marrying. In the show’s premiere episode, Chamola revealed that the couple has been living separately for almost a year and are heading for divorce, although Khanna clarified that they remain legally married and have not yet filed for separation.

Beyond her marital status, Chamola opened up about her sexuality, stating that she was bisexual before marriage but has now become asexual. She explained that her current “phase” after the divorce has led her to not want sex with either men or women. She also said she does not have a maternal instinct, adding that most people marry to have children and continue the family line, but she feels she cannot fulfil that role for Khanna.

Chamola’s revelations have sparked conversation about the pressures faced by public figures, especially women, in balancing personal identity with societal expectations. The actress’s decision to share her journey publicly may encourage others to speak openly about similar experiences.