Who is Akanksha Chamola? Everything About the Swaragini Actress Stirring Up Lock Upp Season 2!

Indian television actress Akanksha Chamola has been a recognized face in the Hindi entertainment industry for over a decade. Best known for her striking performance as Parineeta in the hit Colors TV drama Swaragini, Akanksha has consistently charmed audiences with her expressive acting, elegance, and grounded personality.

In June 2026, she captured the national spotlight after making a massive personal announcement on a major reality television platform, breaking a year-long secret regarding her high-profile marriage.

Biography: A Glimpse Into Her Roots

• Full Name: Akanksha Chamola

• Date of Birth: January 18, 1991

• Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

• Educational Background: Raised in Mumbai, Akanksha is an academically driven individual who holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree.

• Early Ambitions: Despite her educational background in commerce, her innate love for performing arts, dancing, and acting prompted her to try her luck in the competitive world of Indian television auditions.

Breaking News: A Decade-Long Romance Heads for Divorce

On June 27, 2026, Akanksha shocked the entertainment industry during the high-octane premiere episode of Lock Upp Season 2 (streaming on Netflix). Entering the jail-themed reality show as a contestant, Akanksha dropped a bombshell revelation: she and her husband, popular TV actor and Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna, are officially heading for a divorce.

"Gaurav and I are getting a divorce. We have been living separately for the last one year. It wasn't public, but that's my secret. It was a mutual decision... Things are not bad between us. We still talk to each other, but we realized we are not compatible as life partners because we see very different futures."

— Akanksha Chamola on Lock Upp 2

The separation happened quietly around the time Gaurav was participating in Bigg Boss. The couple had previously faced intense public scrutiny during a Bigg Boss family week interaction where they openly discussed their differences regarding family planning—Akanksha candidly shared that she never felt a natural inclination toward motherhood, choosing instead to prioritize her career and personal ambitions.

The Career & Filmography Blueprint

Akanksha’s professional journey began with relentless auditioning in Mumbai's casting circles, leading to notable roles in prime-time television.

1. The Breakout with Swaragini (2015–2016)

Akanksha achieved widespread fame with her debut television show, Swaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur. She portrayed Parineeta Adarsh Maheshwari, a complex character whose transition from a supportive, traditional sister-in-law into a gray-shaded antagonist proved her exceptional acting range. Sharing screen space with top TV stars like Tejasswi Prakash and Helly Shah, Akanksha became a household name.

2. Exploring the Reality Space (2025–2026)

While she took intermittent breaks from continuous daily soaps to focus on modeling and digital content creation, Akanksha made a significant reality TV appearance during the family week of Bigg Boss 18/19 to support her partner. In mid-2026, she made her formal independent reality show debut as a mainstream contestant in Lock Upp Season 2, hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, immediately driving the season's primary narrative.

5 Fascinating Facts About Akanksha Chamola

1. A Hilarious "Filmi" First Meeting: Akanksha first met Gaurav Khanna at a production house audition. Because she was completely new to the television circle, she failed to recognize him despite his established stardom. Playing along, Gaurav pretended to be a struggling newcomer himself. Akanksha gave him innocent, sisterly tips on how to crack television auditions before he jokingly told her to look his name up on Google.

2. The 9-Year Age Gap: Akanksha and Gaurav share a 9-year age difference (Gaurav being born in 1981 and Akanksha in 1991). She has always spoken positively about the gap, noting that she specifically looked for a mature, level-headed partner who could understand the complex demands of the entertainment industry.

3. The 100-Balloon Proposal: After dating for a few years, Gaurav pulled off a grand, romantic proposal in a room filled with nearly 100 balloons, which led to their intimate, star-studded wedding in Kanpur on November 24, 2016.

4. Unapologetic Stance on Personal Choices: Akanksha is highly respected among modern women for her upfront honesty regarding social norms. Her refusal to succumb to societal pressure regarding child-bearing has sparked progressive debates across social media platforms.

5. Grounded Digital Influencer: Boasting a strong community of over 300,000 followers on Instagram, Akanksha is known for her love for travel, choreography, and food (particularly her obsession with simple comfort meals like Rajma Chawal).