Sunil Darshan Reveals Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty Were Set to Marry Before It All Fell Apart

Director Sunil Darshan has revealed that Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty were nearly set to marry before misunderstandings led to their breakup, and how Janwar's success revived Akshay's then-struggling career.

Among Bollywood's most talked-about real-life romances, the one between Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty in the 1990s still comes up in conversation, especially since director Sunil Darshan, who worked with both stars on Janwar, has now shared fresh details about how close the two actually were. The couple appeared together on screen in films like Dhadkan, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Janwar and Insaaf, and their off-screen chemistry was hard to miss at the time.

Sunil Darshan opens up on how serious the relationship was
Speaking to Minute of Masala, Sunil Darshan said, "Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty had a very strong relationship. I think they were even going to get married. But destiny had something else planned. Some misunderstandings came up between them and they broke up." According to him, marriage plans had genuinely been in motion before misunderstandings pulled the couple apart.

14 flops in a row nearly pushed Akshay out of Bollywood
In the same conversation, Sunil Darshan also spoke about the toughest phase of Akshay Kumar's career. He said that before Janwar, there was a period when producers were reluctant to sign Akshay Kumar because so many of his films had failed one after another. Between 1997 and 1999, Akshay Kumar delivered 14 back-to-back flops. During this stretch, both directors and producers grew hesitant to work with him. Akshay Kumar himself has said in past interviews that things got so bad during that period that he had seriously considered quitting Bollywood altogether.

Janwar's success turned Akshay's career around
1999 turned out to be a genuine turning point for Akshay Kumar. Sunil Darshan said Janwar became a hit at the box office, and Akshay Kumar's stardom shot up dramatically after that. Films like Hera Pheri and Dhadkan had been moving slowly until then, but once Janwar succeeded, Akshay Kumar's career picked up pace and his films started coming in quicker succession.

Shilpa Shetty wasn't the first choice for Janwar
Sunil Darshan also revealed that Shilpa Shetty was not initially considered the first choice for Janwar. The makers had felt she might not suit the role and wouldn't come across as natural on screen. However, it was Sunil Darshan's own mother who suggested casting Shilpa Shetty for the part, a decision that ultimately worked out for the film.

The romance began in 1994 and ended by 2000
As for Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty's love life, the two reportedly fell in love in 1994 and had broken up by the time 2000 arrived. During this period, Akshay Kumar also faced accusations of "two timing." It has been said that while he was in a relationship with Shilpa Shetty, Akshay Kumar had also started dating Raveena Tandon. After the breakup, Akshay Kumar married Twinkle Khanna in 2001. In an interview, Shilpa Shetty had also accused Akshay Kumar of cheating on her.

About the film Janwar
Directed by Sunil Darshan, Janwar released in 1999. Besides Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty, the film also featured Kareena Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana and Johnny Lever in its cast. Janwar went on to become a hit at the box office and proved to be the film that redirected the course of Akshay Kumar's career.

Questions & Answers

1. Who is Sunil Darshan?
Sunil Darshan is the director of Janwar, who recently revealed details about Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty's relationship in an interview.

2. When did Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty fall in love?
The two fell in love in 1994.

3. When did Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty break up?
They had broken up by the time 2000 arrived.

4. How many flops did Akshay Kumar deliver?
Akshay Kumar delivered 14 back-to-back flops between 1997 and 1999.

5. When was Janwar released?
Janwar was released in 1999.

6. Who else starred in Janwar besides Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty?
The film also featured Kareena Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana and Johnny Lever.

7. Why wasn't Shilpa Shetty the first choice for Janwar?
The makers initially felt she wouldn't suit the role or come across as natural.

8. Who did Akshay Kumar marry after the breakup?
Akshay Kumar married Twinkle Khanna in 2001.

Inspiration & Lessons
Akshay Kumar's career trajectory shows how persistence through repeated setbacks, combined with recognising the right opportunity, can completely turn a career around.

• Refusing to give up: Despite 14 flops in a row, Akshay Kumar kept working, which paid off with the success of Janwar.
• One right project can change everything: Janwar's success proved that a single well-chosen project can redirect an entire career.
• Acknowledging the low point: Akshay Kumar himself admitted he had considered quitting Bollywood, but staying the course eventually paid off.

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