Key Highlights:

  • Akanksha Chamola and Gaurav Khanna were spotted at opposite ends of Ektaa Kapoor's Ganpati celebrations without speaking to each other.
  • The two married in November 2016 in Kanpur after meeting at an audition, keeping their marriage largely private for nearly a decade.
  • Akanksha revealed their separation and impending divorce on "Lock Upp 2" in 2026, before being eliminated on August 5.
  • She cited differing views on parenthood as a reason for their separation and later dismissed rumours of a Rs 10-crore alimony demand.
  • Gaurav has largely refrained from publicly addressing details of the separation.

A Silent Encounter at a Public Event

Former couple Akanksha Chamola and Gaurav Khanna recently bumped into each other but refrained from talking, in a moment captured by media at a high-profile public gathering.

Where They Crossed Paths

The two attended the Ganpati celebrations of television mogul Ektaa Kapoor in the city on Friday. Media cameras captured the two at opposite ends amidst a heavy gathering, and while their eyes met as they briefly exchanged a glance, neither of them took the initiative to strike up a conversation, an interaction, or lack thereof, that quickly became a talking point given their public history together.

A Marriage That Once Seemed Solid

The couple, who was once thick in love, grew apart over the years. Gaurav and Akanksha tied the knot on November 24, 2016, in Kanpur, following a relationship that reportedly began after their first meeting at an audition. The couple kept their personal lives largely private throughout their nearly decade-long marriage, a discretion that made their eventual public separation all the more notable to fans and followers.

When Their Relationship Came Under Public Scrutiny

Their relationship came under public scrutiny in 2026 when Akanksha revealed on the streaming reality show "Lock Upp" season 2 that they had been living separately for approximately a year and were heading toward divorce, a revelation that marked a significant shift from the couple's previously guarded approach to their personal life.

A Strategic Revelation Within the Show

Akanksha revealed the details on "Lock Upp 2" as part of a strategy to strengthen her position within the game. However, her journey on the show came to an end on August 5, 2026, when she was eliminated alongside Varun Yadav during the competition's penultimate stage, her eviction coming just a day before the grand finale as the show finalised its top five contestants.

A Season Shaped by Personal Revelations

Akanksha had attracted considerable attention throughout the season following her revelations about her separation from television actor Gaurav Khanna. Her candid discussions about marriage, divorce and personal choices sparked conversations both inside and outside the show, positioning her as one of the season's more talked-about contestants for reasons extending well beyond the competition format itself.

Differences Over Parenthood

She later cited differences over parenthood as a factor in their separation, saying Gaurav wanted children while their views on the matter differed, offering one of the more specific and personal reasons behind their split that Akanksha chose to share publicly.

A Largely One-Sided Public Conversation

Their separation became a significant topic of discussion on social media, while Gaurav largely refrained from publicly addressing the details, maintaining a notable contrast between his relative silence and Akanksha's more open public discussion of the split.

Clarifying the Divorce Proceedings

In September 2026, Akanksha confirmed that their divorce was ongoing, while dismissing rumours about a Rs 10-crore alimony demand that had circulated regarding the settlement. The couple's journey from marriage to separation has attracted considerable attention from television audiences, making moments like their recent silent encounter at Ektaa Kapoor's Ganpati celebrations a natural point of continued public interest given how openly their split has already been discussed.