‘He Wants Kids, I Can’t Give Him That’: Akanksha Chamola Confirms Heading for Divorce With Gaurav Khanna on Lock Upp 2
MUMBAI — One of Indian television’s long-standing marriages is drawing to a close. During a candid conversation on the third episode of reality show Lock Upp Season 2, actress Akanksha Chamola shocked co-participants and viewers by confirming that she and her husband, Anupamaa fame actor Gaurav Khanna, are officially heading for a divorce.
The disclosure sheds crucial light on a deeply personal ideological divide that first spilled into the public eye last year during Gaurav’s run on Bigg Boss 19. According to Chamola, the decision to separate stems from an irreconcilable difference regarding their future family structure, specifically focusing on the desire to have children.
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Direct Dialogue on the Lack of Maternal Instinct
Speaking openly inside the compound with fellow contestants Shreya Kalra and Sufi Motiwala, Chamola clarified that she had been completely transparent about her boundaries since the early stages of their relationship.
Akanksha’s On-Screen Statement: “Jab hum shaadi mein the, mera maternal instinct kabhi nahi tha (When we were married, I never had a maternal instinct),” Chamola explained. “But I was open to discovering it, and it was never shut down. Gradually, however, I realised that I am not meant for it, and he was okay with that. But I guess, in time, that shifted.”
She went on to note that most people enter the institution of marriage specifically to carry a family lineage forward, acknowledging that Gaurav’s evolving perspective is valid. “Now he wants to have kids and I can’t give him that. He is not wrong on his part,” she added.
The Reality TV Catalyst
The strain on the relationship intensified significantly following Gaurav’s participation in Bigg Boss 19 last year. During his time on that platform, the actor faced public scrutiny and media pushback for discussing his wife’s choice to remain childfree, with some critics accusing him of utilizing his private family dynamics to gather sympathy votes from the viewing audience.
Timeline of Public Disclosures:
Nov 2016: Marriage in Kanpur ──> 2025: Gaurav enters Bigg Boss 19 ──> Mid-2026: Akanksha enters Lock Upp 2 & confirms divorce
During the Bigg Boss finale week media rounds, Gaurav maintained that while he deeply desired to build a traditional family unit, he would continue to stand firmly by his wife’s personal boundaries. However, Chamola explained on Lock Upp that watching those episodes made her fully grasp the depth of his longing. “I realised that isko bohot zyaada hai aur main nahi kar paa rahi hoon (He wants it badly and I am unable to provide that). For me, I don’t want to put him in that situation,” she stated.
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A Look Back at Their Journey
The couple, who originally tied the knot in a traditional ceremony in late 2016, had long been considered one of the television industry’s most stable pairs. Chamola’s direct approach to addressing the emotional nuances of their separation highlights a growing shift in how modern public figures navigate complex marital transitions on public platforms.
FAQ
When did Gaurav Khanna and Akanksha Chamola get married?
The couple got married on November 24, 2016. The wedding festivities took place in Gaurav Khanna’s native hometown of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, attended by close family, relatives, and industry colleagues.
What are Akanksha Chamola’s prominent professional acting works?
Akanksha Chamola is an established television actress who has played key roles in several popular Hindi entertainment broadcasts over the years. Her most notable performances include appearances in shows like Santoshi Maa, episodic entries in Yeh Hai Aashiqui, and dramatized roles in Crime Patrol.
Why did Gaurav Khanna face criticism during his stint on Bigg Boss 19?
During the finale week of Bigg Boss 19, Gaurav faced criticism from the media and viewers who felt he was oversharing sensitive family details on national television. Critics accused him of playing a calculated “sympathy card” when he publicly discussed his wife’s choice to not have children, though he defended his statements by saying he was merely being honest about his personal life while supporting her choices.
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