Hina Khan, Rubina Dilaik question Gaurav-Akanksha's public image; call out facade

Actors Gaurav Khanna and Akanksha Chamola’s separation became the focus of the teaser for POV, a new talk show featuring Hina Khan and Rocky Jaiswal, and Rubina Dilaik and Abhinav Shukla. The discussion centreed on the contrast between that revelation and the couple’s recent public image. Hina and Rubina questioned why Gaurav and Akanksha continued to make public appearances together and post videos online if they had already been living apart.

In the teaser, Hina and Rubina reacted to Akanksha’s statement on Lock Upp 2 that she and Gaurav are heading for a divorce and have been living separately for the past year.

Rubina said, “If you’re living separately, then making public appearances as husband and wife is just a facade.” Abhinav reacted by saying, “See the paradox ha? It’s called a reality show!” Hina then gave a sarcastic round of applause and says, “Slow claps.”

Before the conversation turns to Gaurav and Akanksha, Hina referred to Shilpa Shinde’s case. She says, “She said everything in Bigg Boss, that she had to face the wrong scenario, that the makers made her life hell. Did she say even once that in return she filed a sexual assault case against the producer? Because she knew that if she says this she will never win!”

Rubina replieed, “Some people call themselves perfect! Achcha pati, achcha patni (good husband, good wife).”

Hina then said Akanksha’s statement on Lock Upp had raised questions among viewers about the couple’s recent appearances. “After Akanksha made it public, people started asking questions. If they had been living separately for a year, then what was all this about? Just four or five months ago, they were surprising each other and making YouTube videos together,” she says.

Separation revealed on Lock Upp

Akanksha had spoken about the separation in the premiere episode of Lock Upp 2. She said she and Gaurav had decided to end their marriage after nine years and were heading for a divorce. She also said they had been living separately for the past year and had kept the matter private until then. Akanksha added that there was no bitterness between them and that they still spoke to each other.

The show has since brought more attention to their relationship. A recent promo confirmed Gaurav’s appearance on the reality show as a visitor. In the promo, host Farah Khan announced visiting hours while the contestants remained inside their jail cells. Gaurav then entered, recited a poem and walked up to Akanksha. Smiling, he said, “Band baja di aapne meri (You have really shaken things up),” after which Akanksha was seen becoming emotional.

A source told India Today that Akanksha’s revelation had shocked fans and that even their parents were unaware of the decision to officially part ways. The source said, “They have always tried to be protective of their relationship and each other. Now that the spotlight is on their strained marriage, it was quite overwhelming for both of them.” The source also said the episode would be the first time the two addressed the situation from their respective perspectives on the show.

Akanksha also spoke on the programme about other personal aspects of her life. She said she wanted to lead a single life and that she and Gaurav parted ways because they wanted different things. While Gaurav had said during Bigg Boss that he wanted to have a child, Akanksha said on Lock Upp that she did not feel maternal and did not want one. She also said she found comfort in feminine energy and had been in a few same-sex relationships before marriage.