Akanksha Chamola, wife of television actor Gaurav Khanna and a contestant on the reality show Lock Upp Season 2, has openly disclosed that she identified as bisexual before her marriage, and had romantic relationships with women. The revelation, made during a recent episode of the show, has drawn significant attention on social media and among the show's viewers.

How the Revelation Unfolded

The disclosure came after Akanksha learnt that fellow contestant Shreya Kalra had overheard her speaking about the matter backstage and subsequently shared it with co-contestant Sufi Motiwala. Confronted on camera, Akanksha chose to address the matter directly rather than deny it.

She said, 'Main shaadi se pehle bisexual thi. Mere relations rahey hain kuch ladkiyo ke saath. Bohot zyaada intimate relations nahi rahe hain but I have been in relations with a few females' — which translates to: she was bisexual before marriage and had relationships with women, though she clarified those were not deeply intimate.

In Her Own Words

Akanksha elaborated on her feelings in a candid monologue on the show. 'Mujhe ladkiya pasand hain. Main admire karti hoon, main attract hoti hoon unke taraf. I think mera woh safe space hain,' she said — expressing that she loves, admires, and is attracted to women, and considers them her safe space.

She also pushed back against the social stereotype that women cannot be friends without jealousy or competition. 'Aise society mein rehte hain jaha log bolte hain ki ladkiya dost nahi rah sakti… mere liye all females are beautiful. It's a tag that society has given, for me it's pure love,' she added.

Context: Separation and Divorce

This is not the first major personal revelation Akanksha has made on Lock Upp Season 2. Earlier in the show's run, she disclosed that she and Gaurav Khanna have been living separately for nearly a year and are heading towards a divorce. The latest disclosure adds another layer to what has become one of the more closely watched personal narratives of this season.

Significance and Broader Context

Bisexuality and LGBTQ+ identity remain topics that receive limited mainstream visibility in Indian entertainment. Akanksha's candid on-camera statement — made in a reality format watched by a large audience — is notable for its directness. Notably, this comes at a time when conversations around queer identity in India are gaining ground following the Supreme Court's 2018 reading-down of Section 377. Whether the disclosure influences public discourse around bisexuality in marriage remains to be seen.