Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty’s relationship was among the most discussed celebrity romances of the 1990s. The two actors shared the screen several times and their off-screen equation frequently made headlines during the height of their careers.
Now, filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who directed the 1999 action drama Jaanwar, has offered another glimpse into that chapter of Bollywood history.
In a recent interview with Minutes of Masala, Darshan recalled Akshay and Shilpa’s relationship during the making of Jaanwar and said he believed the two were “almost getting married” before their relationship eventually ended.
Suneel Darshan Says Akshay and Shilpa Were ‘Almost Getting Married’
Speaking about the period when Jaanwar was being made, Suneel Darshan described Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty as being in a strong relationship.
The filmmaker said he had the impression that marriage could be on the cards for the couple.
“Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty had a very strong relationship. I thought they were almost getting married. But destiny, you know, there were some misunderstandings and they broke up,” Darshan said in the interview.
His comments have once again brought attention to one of Bollywood’s most talked-about relationships from the 1990s.
Akshay and Shilpa had worked together in several films, including Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Insaaf and Jaanwar, among other projects. Their professional association coincided with a period when reports about their personal relationship were widely discussed.
Darshan’s latest recollection, however, comes from his own perspective of the period and should be understood as his account of what he observed around the film’s production.
‘Jaanwar’ Became a Turning Point for Akshay Kumar
Suneel Darshan also looked back at Akshay Kumar’s career around the time of Jaanwar.
According to the filmmaker, Akshay had experienced a difficult phase before the film’s release, with several producers becoming hesitant about working with him after a series of unsuccessful films.
The commercial performance of Jaanwar subsequently changed the momentum around the actor.
Darshan said the film’s success resulted in Akshay’s stardom receiving a significant boost.
“Jaanwar was released and became a hit. Akshay Kumar’s stardom took its first major jump,” he recalled.
The director further said that projects that had been put on hold began moving ahead after the success.
Among the films he mentioned were Hera Pheri and Dhadkan.
“As soon as it jumped, many films that were on hold, like Hera Pheri, Dhadkan, and so on, were put into fast gear,” Darshan said.
The success of Jaanwar therefore became an important part of Akshay’s career trajectory, arriving at a time when the actor was looking to regain momentum at the box office.
Shilpa Shetty Was Not Suneel Darshan’s First Choice for ‘Jaanwar’
Interestingly, the director also revealed that Shilpa Shetty’s casting in Jaanwar was not part of his original plan.
Darshan recalled that his mother suggested Shilpa for the role and encouraged him to consider casting her.
Initially, the filmmaker was unsure whether Shilpa was the right fit for the character.
At the time, Shilpa was particularly associated with glamorous roles, while Darshan wanted the female character in Jaanwar to have a more traditional appearance and personality.
The role required her to be seen in sarees and portray a woman who was quite different from the glamorous image audiences had often associated with the actor.
Darshan eventually agreed to cast her.
Shilpa Changed the Director’s Initial Perception
Despite his initial hesitation, Darshan later felt that the decision worked.
Shilpa successfully adapted to the character and delivered the performance the film required.
The casting therefore became an interesting example of an actor stepping outside an established screen image.
For Shilpa, Jaanwar also became part of a particularly significant phase in her film career, while her professional association with Akshay continued to attract considerable public interest.
Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty’s 90s Connection
Akshay and Shilpa’s relationship unfolded during one of the busiest periods of both their careers.
Their collaborations on screen helped fuel interest in their off-screen equation, while media reports and public appearances kept the romance in the spotlight.
Although their relationship eventually ended, both actors went on to establish successful careers independently.
Akshay became one of Hindi cinema’s most prolific stars, while Shilpa successfully transitioned across films, television and other entertainment ventures.
Over the years, both have also spoken about different aspects of their lives and careers, while maintaining their own separate professional identities.
Suneel Darshan’s ‘Jaanwar’ Remains a Significant Akshay Film
Released in 1999, Jaanwar featured Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty and Karisma Kapoor in prominent roles.
The film’s commercial success was particularly important for Akshay at that stage of his career.
Darshan’s latest recollections therefore offer two different insights into the movie’s making: the personal dynamics he observed between its lead actors and the professional circumstances surrounding Akshay’s career at the time.
His account of Akshay and Shilpa being “almost” ready to marry adds another layer to the story of their much-discussed 1990s relationship, although the filmmaker himself attributed the eventual breakup to misunderstandings and destiny.
