Akanksha Chamola has opened up about rebuilding her life and career after separating from television actor Gaurav Khanna, saying that starting over as a single woman in Mumbai has brought financial and professional challenges.
In a recent interview with SCREEN, Chamola spoke candidly about stepping away from her marriage, returning to work after years away from the industry, and trying to establish an identity independent of her former relationship. She said the process of rebuilding her professional base has been difficult and that she has had to begin again with “baby steps.”
Akanksha Chamola on Starting Over After Divorce
Chamola first publicly announced that she and Khanna were heading for divorce during the premiere of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa. At the time, she said they had been living separately for about a year and described the decision as mutual.
She also said there was no bitterness between them and that they remained in contact, but had concluded that they were no longer compatible as partners because they envisioned different futures.
The separation became a major part of Chamola’s public narrative during her time on the reality show. She has since tried to shift the focus toward her own career and life outside the marriage.
Speaking to SCREEN, she said ending a relationship, leaving it behind and beginning again is particularly difficult for a woman who has spent years away from professional work.
“The industry knows I have not been working for a good six years,” Chamola said, explaining that she had been largely homebound before deciding to step out of her marriage and return to work. She added that she did not have a “godfather” in the industry and therefore had to build her professional base from scratch.
‘The Struggle Is Harder’
Chamola was particularly direct about the financial pressure that has accompanied her new phase of life.
“It takes a lot of time to build that base. The struggle is harder,” she said, pointing to financial difficulties and the challenges of living independently in Mumbai.
She also acknowledged the importance of family support while describing the broader difficulties of leaving an established life behind and attempting to build a new one independently.
Chamola said she has been reaching out to experienced people in the entertainment industry for guidance. She specifically mentioned actor Ram Kapoor and his wife Gautami Kapoor, saying that Ram had compared aspects of her situation with what Gautami had experienced.
She added that she would like to reconnect with them after her time on Lock Upp.
Her Mumbai Home Is Still Being Set Up
Chamola also revealed that she has secured a place of her own in Mumbai, although moving in has been delayed.
She said the house is currently on hold because she still needs to complete the interiors and has struggled to find enough time to manage everything. She also mentioned that she had suffered an injury but had been too busy to take proper rest.
The comments underline the practical side of the transition she is going through. Beyond the public discussion surrounding her marriage, Chamola is now dealing with the everyday responsibilities of establishing an independent home and restarting her professional life.
Chamola Says Public Criticism No Longer Affects Her
Her separation from Khanna has also brought considerable public scrutiny. Chamola said she was prepared for criticism after revealing the relationship’s status on Lock Upp, but she was particularly shaken when Khanna visited her during the show and told her about the backlash taking place outside.
She recalled worrying about her family and said the information affected her ability to concentrate on the competition. Eventually, she said, she managed to recover and return to the game.
Chamola has since adopted a more dismissive attitude toward comments from other celebrities and public figures.
She specifically addressed criticism from Orry, who had publicly accused her of using Khanna’s fame. Chamola said she was no longer affected by such remarks and indicated that she had become accustomed to being judged publicly.
Where Things Stand With Gaurav Khanna
Although Chamola has consistently described the separation as a considered decision rather than a sudden development, the legal process has taken time.
In August, she said the divorce was “definitely happening” but that she and Khanna had not yet found the right time to complete the paperwork because of conflicting work schedules. She also said the decision to legally part ways had been made before she entered Lock Upp and before Khanna participated in Khatron Ke Khiladi.
Chamola previously explained that the couple had spent considerable time deciding whether their marriage could continue. She said they took around 18 months to conclude that they were no longer suited to one another, with the decision to separate coming later legally.
The couple married in November 2016 in Kanpur. Their separation became public nearly a decade into their relationship. Earlier, Chamola had also spoken about differing views on parenthood, saying Khanna wanted children while she had realised that motherhood was not the future she wanted for herself.
A New Professional Chapter
For Chamola, the next phase appears to be focused less on her former marriage and more on establishing herself professionally.
She is currently associated with a digital IP being developed with Balaji Telefilms and has also appeared on Bharti Singh’s Indian Game Show.
Her latest comments suggest that the biggest challenge is not simply moving on from a relationship that has ended. It is rebuilding a career, financial independence, and a personal identity after years away from regular work.
For Chamola, that process is now underway — one step at a time.
