Before Akshay Kumar married Twinkle Khanna, the actor was in a high-profile relationship with Shilpa Shetty. The two reportedly grew closer while working together on Main Khiladi Tu Anari in 1994 and eventually began dating. Years later, filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who directed the pair in Jaanwar (1999), has recalled a time when he believed Akshay and Shilpa were close to tying the knot.In a recent conversation with Minutes Of Masala, Darshan reflected on a particularly difficult phase in Akshay’s career during the late 1990s. The actor had been struggling at the box office after a series of unsuccessful films, leading producers to become increasingly hesitant about backing his projects.“Producers had stopped producing Akshay’s films after a point in time, because there was no saleability and marketability,” Darshan said.Amid the professional uncertainty, Akshay’s personal life appeared to be going smoothly. According to Darshan, his relationship with Shilpa was serious enough that he believed marriage could be on the cards. However, the couple eventually separated following what the filmmaker described as misunderstandings.“During that time, Akshay and Shilpa’s relationship was also going strong, and I thought they were almost getting married. But there were some misunderstandings and they broke up,” he revealed.Akshay’s fortunes soon changed with Jaanwar. Released in 1999, the film proved to be a commercial success and played a significant role in reviving his career after a prolonged run of disappointing releases. His earlier films included Sapoot (1996), Lahoo Ke Do Rang (1997), Insaaf: The Final Justice (1997), Daava (1997), Taraazu (1997), among several others.“By then, Jaanwar released and emerged a hit. That was the first time when Akshay Kumar’s stardom took its first jump,” Darshan recalled.The success of Jaanwar also gave a fresh push to several of Akshay’s projects that had been awaiting release. Films such as Hera Pheri and Dhadkan subsequently made their way to audiences, further strengthening his position in the industry.“The producers of all his films that were on hold, including Hera Pheri, Dhadkan, etc, geared up for release. For 25 years, his career kept soaring and there was no looking back for him. I did a total of 7 films with him.”Darshan also recounted an interesting incident involving Akshay and Hrithik Roshan. Following the success of Jaanwar, rumours began circulating that Darshan was planning to sign Hrithik for his next project. Akshay, apparently concerned about the development, approached the filmmaker to find out whether he had done something to upset him.“After Jaanwar’s release, Akshay once heard rumours in the market that I am signing Hrithik Roshan for my next film. He came to talk to me and asked if he did anything wrong with me. But, I clarified that I went to Hrithik’s house but I haven’t signed him, it was a miscommunication. He took a promise from me to make 100 films with him. I said, ‘wonderful’,” he concluded.Darshan and Akshay went on to collaborate on several films, including Andaaz, Talaash: The Hunt Begins, and Ek Rishta: The Bond of Love, among others.
