Akanksha Chamola Indian TV actress, 35, known for Swaragini & Dil Dhokha Aur Desire. Discover her age, net worth, divorce from Gaurav Khanna & full career.
Akanksha Chamola is one of Indian television’s most quietly compelling actresses — a performer who lets her craft do the talking while her real life increasingly commands attention in its own right. Born on January 18, 1991, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, she first caught audiences’ attention in 2015 with her breakout role in Swaragini – Jodein Rishton Ke Sur on Colors TV, and has steadily built a reputation for natural, emotionally grounded performances across a decade in the industry.
In mid-2026, she became one of the most searched names in Indian entertainment after publicly announcing her separation and impending divorce from actor Gaurav Khanna on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2. The revelation — delivered with remarkable candour and grace — opened a new chapter both personally and professionally for this M.Com graduate turned OTT actress.
Quick Facts About Akanksha Chamola
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Akanksha Chamola |
| Date of Birth | January 18, 1991 |
| Age | 35 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Profession | Television Actress, Model |
| Net Worth | Approx. ₹1.5–2 crore (est. 2026) |
| Spouse | Gaurav Khanna (m. 2016; separation announced 2026) |
| Children | None |
| Education | M.Com, Mumbai University |
| Famous For | Swaragini, Bhootu, Dil Dhokha Aur Desire, Lock Upp 2 |
Mumbai Roots and a Middle-Class Beginning
Akanksha Chamola was born and raised in Mumbai into a middle-class Pahadi family. From her early years, she gravitated toward the performing arts — a pull she balanced carefully alongside her academic commitments. Her mother, Sheela Chamola, has been a constant presence in her life, though Akanksha keeps most details about her family private and away from the public eye.
Growing up in Mumbai meant being surrounded by the entertainment industry, but she did not rush into it. Instead, she focused on completing her education first, participating in cultural events and college performances that quietly sharpened her stage presence and confidence. Those years of preparation gave her something many young actresses lack: a grounded, unhurried approach to her craft.
Education: The M.Com Actress
Akanksha completed her schooling in Mumbai before enrolling at Mumbai University, where she earned a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree. Her academic achievement sets her apart in an industry where formal education often takes a backseat to early career hustle. She has spoken in interviews about how her college years were formative — not just academically, but in building the self-assurance that would later translate into calm, assured performances on screen.
Before making the leap into television, she also worked as a model, using the experience to refine her on-camera presence and develop the visual poise that would become one of her signatures. Modeling was, in effect, her first classroom for performance — and she graduated with distinction.
Television Debut and the Swaragini Breakthrough
Akanksha made her television debut in 2015 with Swaragini – Jodein Rishton Ke Sur on Colors TV, one of the most popular Indian dramas of its era. She played Parineeta Adarsh Maheshwari, a character whose emotional complexity required a delicate touch. Her performance was lauded for its restraint and authenticity, and it quickly made her a recognized face in Hindi television.
What distinguished Akanksha in Swaragini was her ability to hold her own without overplaying. In a genre known for heightened melodrama, she leaned into stillness and nuance, earning a dedicated fanbase who appreciated her more grounded style. The show ran until 2016, and Parineeta remains the role most closely associated with her name.
After Swaragini, she transitioned into the fantasy-drama space with Bhootu (2016–2017), a supernatural series that required a completely different register. She played Anandita Subodh Bose, a maternal figure navigating an unusual world, and demonstrated the kind of genre flexibility that keeps careers durable. The show added a new dimension to her profile and won her fresh appreciation.
Expanding Her Footprint: Bhagyalaxmi to Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye
Akanksha continued building her television résumé with a measured, selective approach. She appeared in Bhagyalaxmi (2021), further proving her versatility across drama formats. In 2024, she joined the cast of Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye, a show that also happened to feature her then-husband Gaurav Khanna, and which brought her renewed visibility with a new audience.
Her approach has always been quality over volume. Unlike peers who chase every available project, Akanksha has consistently chosen roles that offer her something to work with — a character with depth, a story worth telling. That philosophy has given her career unusual longevity and credibility in an industry where overexposure can be as damaging as absence.
OTT Debut: Dil Dhokha Aur Desire (2026)
In February 2026, Akanksha made her long-awaited OTT debut with Dil Dhokha Aur Desire, a romantic thriller that premiered exclusively on ShemarooMe on Valentine’s Day weekend. She played Malini — a strong, layered female character navigating love, ambition, and betrayal in a fast-paced narrative. Co-starring Kunwar Amar and Ali Hasan, the series drew strong reviews for its tight writing and compelling ensemble.
Critics and viewers singled out Akanksha’s performance as a standout — intelligent, resilient, and emotionally complex, they called Malini a true driving force of the narrative. The series marked a clear pivot in her career: from traditional television serial to edgier, more mature digital storytelling. It signalled that after a decade of building credibility on conventional TV, she was ready for a new chapter.
Personal Life: Marriage, Separation, and Lock Upp 2
Akanksha met actor Gaurav Khanna — best known for his iconic role as Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa and as the winner of Bigg Boss 19 — during an acting audition. Their friendship deepened into romance, and on November 24, 2016, they married in a traditional ceremony in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, attended by family and close friends from the industry.
For nearly a decade, they were celebrated as one of Hindi television’s most admired couples — warm, supportive, and visibly devoted. Akanksha appeared during the Family Week of Bigg Boss 19 to cheer Gaurav on, and the couple continued sharing affectionate content on social media well into early 2026.
However, in June 2026, on the premiere of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2 (streaming on Netflix), Akanksha publicly revealed that she and Gaurav had been living separately for over a year and were headed for divorce. She spoke with remarkable openness and dignity, explaining that the split was mutual, amicable, and rooted in genuinely different visions for the future.
The central issue, she explained, was the question of children. From the start of their marriage, she had been clear that she did not feel a maternal instinct, while remaining open to the possibility. Over time, she realised parenthood was not her path — but Gaurav’s feelings had shifted, and he had begun to deeply want children. Witnessing his emotional breakdown on Bigg Boss 19 made it clear to her that suppressing that desire was hurting him, and that holding on would be unfair to them both. Gaurav responded publicly with warmth, saying his support for Akanksha remained unchanged. The couple has no children.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Akanksha Chamola’s estimated net worth sits at approximately ₹1.5 to ₹2 crore as of 2026, drawn from television acting fees, brand endorsements, modeling contracts, and digital content creation. Her Instagram presence — with close to 900,000 followers — generates additional income through brand collaborations, with a focus on fashion, wellness, and vegan lifestyle brands aligned with her personal values.
She is an active advocate for veganism and animal welfare, and her social media bio reads “Vegan Vibes ✌️ | Actress & Mischief Maker” — a reflection of the warmth and lightness she brings to both her platform and her public personality.
In Summary
Akanksha Chamola’s journey from a middle-class Mumbai household to the centre of Indian television is a story driven by patience, intelligence, and an unwillingness to compromise on craft. A postgraduate degree, a decade of carefully chosen roles, and a 2026 OTT debut that critics celebrated — she has built something rare: a career with genuine depth.
Her decision to speak openly about her separation on Lock Upp 2 took courage, and the grace with which both she and Gaurav Khanna have handled a profoundly personal moment has only deepened public respect for her. In choosing honesty over image management, she proved once again that authenticity is her strongest suit.
Whatever comes next — more OTT roles, new creative directions, a new chapter in her personal life — Akanksha Chamola walks into it on her own terms, as she always has.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Akanksha Chamola?
Akanksha Chamola is an Indian television actress and model born on January 18, 1991, in Mumbai. She is best known for her role as Parineeta in Swaragini – Jodein Rishton Ke Sur and her 2026 OTT debut in Dil Dhokha Aur Desire on ShemarooMe. She is currently a contestant on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2.
Q2: What is Akanksha Chamola’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is approximately ₹1.5–2 crore as of 2026. Her income comes from television roles, brand endorsements, modeling, and social media collaborations, particularly in the fashion and vegan lifestyle space.
Q3: Is Akanksha Chamola getting divorced from Gaurav Khanna?
Yes. In June 2026, Akanksha publicly confirmed on Lock Upp Season 2 that she and Gaurav Khanna have been living separately for over a year and are heading toward divorce. She explained it as a mutual, amicable decision based on differing life goals, particularly around having children.
Q4: What TV shows has Akanksha Chamola appeared in?
Her key television credits include Swaragini – Jodein Rishton Ke Sur (2015), Bhootu (2016–2017), Bhagyalaxmi (2021), and Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye (2024). In 2026, she made her OTT debut with the web series Dil Dhokha Aur Desire on ShemarooMe.
Q5: Why did Akanksha Chamola and Gaurav Khanna separate?
Akanksha explained that she realised she did not feel a maternal instinct and was not meant for parenthood, while Gaurav’s desire to have children had grown stronger over time. Seeing his emotional struggle during Bigg Boss 19 made clear to her that the disconnect was too significant to overcome, and both agreed to part ways with love and respect.
Q6: Does Akanksha Chamola have children?
No. Akanksha and Gaurav Khanna do not have children. She has been open about not feeling a strong maternal instinct, describing it as a personal choice she communicated throughout their marriage.
Q7: What is Akanksha Chamola doing in 2026?
In 2026, Akanksha starred in the OTT web series Dil Dhokha Aur Desire on ShemarooMe and is currently a contestant on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa Season 2 on Netflix. She remains active on social media as a vegan advocate with close to 900,000 Instagram followers.
