Priyanka Chopra has addressed her past with Akshay Kumar, offering fresh insights into why the Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra relationship was never destined to last. The revelations come years after intense media speculation over their off-screen bond, shining a light on the dynamics that shaped their personal and professional choices at the height of their collaborative fame in Bollywood.
Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra: From Silver Screen Partners to Off-Screen Distance
In 2003, Akshay Kumar, already married to Twinkle Khanna and father to young Aarav, starred opposite Priyanka Chopra in the blockbuster film Andaaz. Their compelling chemistry was a sensation, fueling rumors and speculation in India’s entertainment industry. Filmmakers quickly paired them in more productions, and between 2003 and 2004, the duo co-starred in Andaaz, Aitraaz, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, and Waqt: The Race Against Time. Their on-screen pairing was celebrated, but persistent reports in tabloids highlighted growing closeness during their projects, particularly on the set of Aitraaz.
The partnership sparked intense gossip, with industry insiders branding them the ‘new jodi‘, while whispers of an off-set connection persisted. Despite the attention, Akshay Kumar consistently avoided direct comments regarding his equations with Chopra. It was said that their professional relationship became a casualty of personal developments and mounting pressure from the media, as well as within their respective families.
Priyanka Chopra Praises Action Legends, Admits Her Own Limits
Decades after their last collaboration, Priyanka Chopra, now married to Nick Jonas, is expanding her footprint internationally, starring in the action film Heads of State. At the movie’s London premiere following her work on Citadel, Chopra publicly acknowledged the influence of action cinema and expressed deep admiration for both Akshay Kumar and Tom Cruise. She openly admitted, however, to feeling a lack of personal courage for the audacious action scenes often associated with these actors. During the event, she remarked:
“I love what Tom Cruise and Akshay Kumar do. They’re really good at that, but I don’t think I have the courage to hang off a plane that’s taking off or do that kind of stuff.”
—Priyanka Chopra, Actress
Chopra further reflected on her preference for participating in large-scale films, noting the indispensable contributions of stunt teams to the magic of movies. She stressed that the grandeur and wonderment seen on screen were often constructed by teams of people whose efforts underpin the stars’ performances.
Akshay Kumar Addresses Public Perception of His Fallout with Priyanka Chopra
Even as their professional partnership attracted both praise and scrutiny, ‘Khiladi Kumar’ found himself clarifying his stance on the issue of collaboration with Priyanka Chopra. While media reports and industry rumor mills suggested a permanent rift, Kumar himself provided a different account during an interview with Aap Ki Adalat:
“There is nothing like that. I have worked on five films with Priyanka. It’s not like I don’t want to work with her. Except for Rani Mukerji, I have worked with every heroine. If there is an opportunity, I will surely work with Priyanka Chopra. Let us call Priyanka Chopra and check if she has an issue with me. That way you will know for sure.”
—Akshay Kumar, Actor
His comments suggested that, contrary to widespread speculation, neither harbored explicit resentment towards the other, at least from Kumar’s perspective. The statements sparked renewed public debate on whether untold factors, not professional considerations, ended their onscreen partnership.
The Reported Role of Twinkle Khanna in Ending Their On-Screen Association
Industry accounts commonly attribute the ultimate halt to Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra’s collaboration to intervention by Twinkle Khanna, Akshay Kumar’s wife. According to persistent reports, the turning point occurred after rumors of an affair reached Khanna, at a time when their son Aarav was a toddler. Tabloid stories claimed that, upon learning of the situation, Twinkle confronted Akshay in a hotel lobby, allegedly slapping him and leaving their home, taking Aarav, who was less than a year old. Subsequently, Akshay Kumar promised never to work with Chopra again, honoring his spouse’s wishes and putting an abrupt end to one of Bollywood’s most talked-about pairings.
Speculation surrounding their growing closeness on the Aitraaz set was particularly intense, with sources suggesting that they were nearly inseparable during the shoot. This period marked the strongest phase of their reported association. However, neither Akshay nor Priyanka ever directly confirmed romance rumors, and the episode remains one of Bollywood’s enduring mysteries.
Reflections on Stardom, Partnership, and Personal Consequences
The trajectory of the Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra relationship illustrates the complexities celebrities navigate when professional and private lives intersect under relentless public glare. Both found themselves at the center of a nationwide media storm, with filmmakers, colleagues, and families feeling the ripple effects of their partnership. The impact extended well beyond their on-screen pairings, influencing future professional choices and personal decisions.
Today, as Priyanka forges her path in global cinema and Kumar continues his prolific career in India, the legacy of their partnership serves as a case study in managing fame, relationships, and public opinion. The saga also highlights the silent work of stuntmen, support teams, and collaborators, whose unseen efforts enable stars to shine but who remain outside the limelight during such stories. For fans and industry watchers alike, the story underlines how fleeting chemistry and off-screen headlines can redirect the destinies of even the brightest stars.
