Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has revealed a light-hearted yet poignant story about how the flop of Aamir Khan’s film Mela indirectly led to his marriage with actress-author Twinkle Khanna. The revelation came during Akshay’s recent appearance on a televised show.
Akshay said he proposed to Twinkle around the time Mela was set to release. At that moment, Twinkle jokingly replied that she would agree only if the movie flopped, confident that it would be a hit—given Aamir Khan’s involvement and the expectation surrounding Dharmesh Darshan’s direction. But fate had other plans: Mela did not perform well at the box office. True to her word, Twinkle accepted Akshay’s proposal, and the couple were married soon after.
The wedding, held in January 2001, was intimate and low-key. According to Akshay, he and Twinkle were filming until late afternoon—separate shoots until 6 p.m.—and after wrapping up, they tied the knot on the terrace of a friend’s house. The decision was spontaneous, and the ceremony involved only close friends and family. They had initially planned marriage for February but moved it up, surprising many in their circles.
Akshay also shared anecdotes highlighting the dynamics of his relationship with Twinkle. He described her as outspoken and unfiltered, recalling how during a trial screening of one of his films, when asked what she thought, she bluntly commented it was “a s**t movie.” Akshay said at the time, “I thought that man would never cast me again.” He also noted how despite their many differences—she leans one way, he another—they share certain routines and values: early rising, preferring quiet evenings, watching films together, and avoiding big parties. These shared habits, he joked, make up the 20 percent similarity that outweighs the 80 percent difference.
The story offered fans a rare peek behind the romance of one of Bollywood’s most admired couples, merging humor, honesty, and warmth. Akshay’s playful thank-you to Aamir Khan—“Sorry Aamir Khan sahab, that film of yours didn’t work. But I got married because of you”—reflects both affection and amusement at how unpredictable love can be.
For the public, it’s a reminder of how small moments, set against the backdrop of celebrity expectations, can lead to life-changing paths. The interview has since created a stir among fans, who appreciated both Akshay’s candor and the lighthearted twist in a romantic milestone from Bollywood’s past.