Akanksha Chamola isn’t a name that dominated headlines for most of her career. She was the quiet presence beside one of television’s biggest stars, Gaurav Khanna a wife who showed up at award shows, smiled for the cameras, and went home to a life she kept fiercely private.
That changed in 2026.
Within a span of months, Akanksha Chamola went from being “Gaurav Khanna’s wife” to one of the most searched television actresses in India. The reason? A divorce announcement on national television that left fans stunned, followed by a series of personal revelations that made her a polarizing figure in entertainment circles.
But who is Akanksha Chamola, really? Beyond the divorce headlines, the alimony rumors, and the reality show controversies, there’s a story of a Mumbai girl who stumbled into acting, married young, and is now — at 35 — learning to live life entirely on her own terms.
This is that story.
Quick Info Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Akanksha Chamola |
| Date of Birth | 18 January 1991 |
| Age (2026) | 35 years |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Profession | Television Actress, Model |
| Husband (Estranged) | Gaurav Khanna |
| Marriage Date | 24 November 2016 |
| Separation | 2025 (publicly confirmed June 2026) |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Net Worth | ₹1–3 crore (approx.) |
| Debut | Swaragini (2015) |
Akanksha Chamola Biography
Akanksha Chamola is an Indian television actress born and raised in Mumbai. She entered the entertainment industry in 2015 with the Colors TV show Swaragini and quickly became a recognizable face on Hindi television. She is married to actor Gaurav Khanna, though the couple is currently in the process of finalizing their divorce. She holds a Master of Commerce degree from Mumbai University and is known for her roles in shows like Bhootu, Can You See Me, and Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye.
Early Life and Education
Akanksha was born on 18 January 1991 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She grew up in a middle-class household, the kind where a career in acting wasn’t exactly the first thing parents dreamed of for their daughter. Her mother, Sheela Chamola, raised her with the kind of grounded discipline that Mumbai families are known for.
Academics came first. Akanksha completed her schooling in Mumbai and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, followed by a Master’s in Commerce from Mumbai University. By the time she finished her postgraduate studies, she had a degree that could have easily led to a corporate job.
But the acting bug had already bitten.
During her college years, Akanksha participated in cultural events and stage performances. Those small moments on stage gave her a taste of what it felt like to perform, and she liked it. She didn’t come from a film family. No connections, no godfather, no shortcut. Everything she built in the industry, she built from scratch.
Career Highlights
The Swaragini Breakthrough (2015)
Akanksha made her television debut in 2015 with Swaragini Jodein Rishton Ke Sur, a show that became one of Colors TV’s most-watched dramas. She played Parineeta Adarsh Maheshwari, a role that gave her visibility but didn’t quite make her a household name.
Here’s the thing about Indian television: one show can change everything, but it can also trap you in a box. Swaragini was her entry point, but it wasn’t her ceiling.
Building a Body of Work (2015–2023)
After Swaragini, Akanksha appeared in Bhagyalaxmi (2015), then took on the lead role of Anandita in the supernatural comedy-drama Bhootu (2017). She followed that up with Can You See Me (2022) and Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye (2023).
She wasn’t working every day. She was selective—”very “picky,” as she herself admitted in a 2026 interview. That’s a choice that carries its own price in an industry where visibility equals opportunity. But it also meant she never burned out, never became overexposed.
OTT Expansion (2025–2026)
Akanksha made her OTT debut in 2026 with Dil Dhokha aur Desire, a ShemarooMe original web series. She also appeared in the mini- TV series Rewind Wala Love (2025) and the thriller Mafia King.
The shift to digital content was intentional. Television roles for actresses in their mid-30s are limited — that’s a harsh reality of the industry. Web series offered more flexibility and, frankly, better characters.
Current Projects and Recent Work
| Year | Project | Platform | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Dil Dhokha aur Desire | ShemarooMe | Malini |
| 2026 | Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2 | Netflix | Contestant (evicted) |
| 2025 | Rewind Wala Love. | Mini TV Series | Monica D’Souza |
| 2025 | Mafia King | Web Series | – |
| 2023 | Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye | TV | Manvi |
| 2022 | Can You See Me? | TV | Anandita |
Her appearance on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2 was career-defining for better and for worse. She entered the show as a relatively unknown name and left as one of the season’s most talked-about contestants. The price? Her personal life became public property.
Family Details
| Family Member | Relation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sheela Chamola | Mother | – |
| Gaurav Khanna | Estranged Husband | Actor, Bigg Boss 19 winner |
| Father | – | Not publicly known |
| Siblings | – | Not publicly known |
| Children | – | None |
Akanksha has kept her family details largely private. Her mother, Sheela Chamola, has been a constant presence in her life, and Akanksha has spoken about the emotional support she received from her family during her separation. The identity of her father has never been publicly disclosed, and information about siblings is not available in the public domain.
Relationship Status
Akanksha Chamola is separated from Gaurav Khanna, and the couple is in the process of finalizing their divorce. They married on 24 November 2016 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after meeting at an audition. The separation was confirmed publicly by Akanksha on the premiere episode of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2 in June 2026. She has stated that she has no plans to remarry.
How They Met
Gaurav and Akanksha met at an audition. He was already an established actor; she was still finding her footing. Gaurav reportedly asked for her number subtly, and she gave it to him immediately. After months of courtship, they married in 2016 in a three-day celebration in Kanpur, Gaurav’s hometown.
The age gap was noticeable — Gaurav is about nine years older — but at the time, it didn’t seem to matter.
The Divorce: What Happened
The cracks started showing gradually. In an industry where appearances are everything, Gaurav and Akanksha maintained the facade of a happy couple for years. They showed up at events together, posted occasional photos, and played the part.
Behind closed doors, something fundamental was breaking down.
The core issue was children. Akanksha never developed a maternal instinct. Gaurav initially accepted this, but over time, his desire to have kids grew. By 2025, the couple had been living separately for nearly a year, hoping that space might fix what was already broken.
The Lock Upp Revelation
On the premiere episode of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2 in June 2026, Akanksha made the announcement that changed everything:
“Gaurav and I are getting a divorce. We have been living separately for the last year. It has not been made public. It was a mutual decision.”
She added that there was no bad blood between them and that they still talked. But they had both realized they wanted different futures “and unfortunately, it’s not with each other.”
Why the Marriage Really Ended
The official reason: children.
Akanksha has been remarkably candid about this. “When we got married, I never had a maternal instinct, but I was open to discovering it,” she said on Lock Upp. “Gradually I realized I’m not meant for it. And he was okay with it, but I guess with time, that shifted. Now, he wants to have kids, and I can’t give him that.”
She also revealed that she told Gaurav he could leave her if he wanted to. “Fair enough on your part. 99 percent of people get married because they want children and a family. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m child-free for a reason. I want to be free.”
That’s the part people often miss about Akanksha’s story. She didn’t walk away because she stopped loving her husband. She walked away because she refused to pretend to be someone she wasn’t.
Why Akanksha Chamola Doesn’t Want Kids
This is the question that has followed her everywhere.
Akanksha has been clear: she never felt the urge to become a mother. It wasn’t a phase, wasn’t a reaction to a bad experience, and wasn’t something she could be “convinced” out of. She simply doesn’t have that instinct.
“I have not felt the inclination to become a mother. And it also looks very difficult in the future. For some reason, I don’t feel the need to have a kid,” she said during her appearance on Bigg Boss 19, when she visited Gaurav in the house. “I have my reasons, and I feel that when you find so many excuses, then you are not ready.”
She has also pushed back against the “selfish” label. “Parenthood is a huge responsibility,” she said. “I have ambitions and a career I want to build.”
Gaurav, to his credit, publicly supported her decision at least initially. “As a husband, it is my right and duty to put my wife ahead of me,” he said in an interview. “If my wife doesn’t want kids, of course, I feel bad as an individual, but as a husband, it is my right and duty to put my wife ahead of me.”
The problem? Feelings change. What you can accept at 28 becomes harder to accept at 38. That’s the painful, human reality at the center of their divorce.
Net Worth and Income Sources
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹1–3 crore (approx.) |
| Primary Income Sources | Television acting fees, web series projects, reality show appearance fees |
| Reality Show | Lock Upp 2 (Netflix) |
| Brand Endorsements | Limited; largely selective projects |
| Property | Mumbai residence |
Akanksha Chamola’s net worth is estimated between ₹1 crore and ₹3 crore, depending on the source. Some reports place it closer to ₹1.8–2 crore, while others suggest ₹2–3 crore after her Lock Upp appearance.
To put this in perspective: Gaurav Khanna’s net worth is estimated between ₹8 crore and ₹15 crore. That’s a significant gap, and it’s largely a reflection of their different career trajectories. Gaurav became a household name through Anupamaa; Akanksha worked steadily but on smaller projects.
She has largely stayed away from aggressive brand endorsements or commercial appearances. Her income comes primarily from acting work, which — given her selective approach — is not as consistent as one might expect.
Cars and Lifestyle
Akanksha Chamola has never been one to flaunt wealth. There is no publicly documented car collection, no luxury watch endorsements, no Instagram posts showing off a garage full of expensive vehicles.
Her lifestyle appears comfortable but grounded. She has been described as a “fashionista” who loves wearing short dresses, and she is known to enjoy travelling, dancing, and working out. Her favourite destinations include Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh and Singapore.
She is very active on social media, where she shares a mix of glamorous photos, funny videos, and candid glimpses into her daily life. If there’s one thing her Instagram reflects, it’s that she’s not trying to project a lifestyle she doesn’t have — she’s just living hers.
Lesser Known Facts
- Akanksha does not smoke.
- She married at 24 — “so young,” as she herself reflected on Lock Upp.
- She is a trained dancer and enjoys dancing as a hobby.
- She has a Master of Commerce degree, making her one of the few TV actresses with a postgraduate qualification.
- She has spoken openly about being bisexual and has said women have always been her “safe space.”
- She prefers to stay away from gossip and has described herself as someone who cannot get into “nasty altercations.”
- Her favourite actors are Salman Khan and the late Irrfan Khan.
- She loves Rajma-Chawal and Cheese Chilly Capsicum.
Controversies
Akanksha Chamola’s career has been relatively controversy-free — until 2026.
The Divorce Announcement on Lock Upp
Announcing a divorce on a reality show is a choice that invites scrutiny. Some viewers praised her honesty; others accused her of seeking publicity. She addressed this directly after her eviction: “Our fans deserve honesty. Our relationship has always been public. I guess this platform was the best way to be sincere with our fans.”
The ₹10 Crore Alimony Rumours
After the divorce announcement, rumours circulated that Akanksha had demanded ₹10 crore in alimony from Gaurav. She shut this down firmly: “If I had demanded and received that amount, I wouldn’t be sitting here. If I really had that much money, I would have left the country by now.”
The Shreya Kalra Fallout
On Lock Upp, fellow contestant and eventual winner Shreya Kalra outed Akanksha’s bisexuality on national television. Akanksha later called Kalra “the most evil person” and accused her of exposing her sexuality to get ahead in the game.
That moment — being outed without consent — became one of the season’s most uncomfortable sequences. Host Farah Khan reportedly said she wanted to hug Akanksha after it happened.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle |
|---|---|
| @akankshagkhanna | |
| Other Platforms | Active but not publicly listed in detail |
Akanksha is fairly active on Instagram, where she shares a mix of professional photos, behind-the-scenes content, and personal moments. She hasn’t leaned into the influencer lifestyle — no constant sponsored posts, no aggressive brand partnerships. Her social media feels like a window into her life, not a billboard.
FAQs
1. Who is Akanksha Chamola?
2. Why is Akanksha Chamola famous?
A: She became widely known in 2026 after publicly confirming her divorce from Gaurav Khanna on national television. She is also recognised for her television roles in Swaragini, Bhootu, and Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye.
3. What is Akanksha Chamola’s net worth?
4. Is Akanksha Chamola in a relationship?
Conclusion
Akanksha Chamola’s story is not a fairy tale. It’s not a cautionary tale either. It’s just… real.
She married young, built a career on her own terms, and when her marriage stopped working, she chose honesty over comfort. She could have stayed. She could have had a child she didn’t want just to keep the peace. She could have played the role of the devoted wife for another decade.
That takes a kind of courage that’s hard to quantify. It’s easy to judge someone’s choices when you’re watching from the outside. It’s much harder to live them.
Akanksha is now 35, single, and — by her own admission — “riding solo for life.” She’s working on her career, appearing in web series, and figuring out what the next chapter looks like. Whatever that chapter holds, it will be entirely on her terms.
About the Author
This article was researched and written by the editorial team at Husbandsbio. We specialise in detailed, human-first celebrity biographies that go beyond surface-level facts. Our goal is to tell stories that respect the subject, inform the reader, and stand up to scrutiny. Every claim is sourced, every opinion is clearly labelled, and every article is written by a human — not generated by AI.
