Akshaye Khanna’s Admiration for Aishwarya Rai Resurfaces

Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna, currently in the spotlight for his intense portrayal in Chhaava, has once again caught public attention due to an old interview resurfacing online. The interview, from his appearance on Koffee With Karan, showcases his open admiration for Aishwarya Rai’s beauty.

During a rapid-fire round on the celebrity chat show, host Karan Johar asked Akshaye to name the sexiest woman in Bollywood. Without hesitation, he responded, "Ash (Aishwarya Rai). I can’t take my eyes off her every time I meet her. It’s embarrassing for men. She must be used to it—people staring at her. But I’m not used to not being able to take my eyes off somebody. You just keep staring at her like a lunatic."

Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who was also present on the show alongside Sidharth Malhotra for the promotion of their film Ittefaq, echoed similar sentiments. She admitted, "Not only guys. Even I am not able to take my eyes off her. She is damn stunning."

While Akshaye Khanna never hesitated to express his admiration for Aishwarya Rai, there were once speculations regarding a possible romantic relationship between the two during the late 1990s. Their on-screen chemistry fueled rumors that they were involved for nearly a year. However, their alleged romance reportedly came to an end when Aishwarya signed Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and grew close to Salman Khan.

At the same time, Akshaye Khanna was also making headlines due to his rumored engagement to actress Karisma Kapoor. According to a report by News18.com, veteran actor Randhir Kapoor was keen on seeing his daughter marry Akshaye. He even approached Akshaye’s father, veteran actor Vinod Khanna, with a marriage proposal. However, the relationship is said to have ended due to opposition from Babita, Karisma’s mother, who was reportedly unwilling for her daughter to settle down and take a step back from her thriving film career.

A source close to the family was quoted as saying, "If Babita had not objected, Akshaye and Karisma would almost certainly have been married."

While the past remains a subject of speculation, Akshaye Khanna’s career continues to evolve, with his latest performance in Chhaava reaffirming his versatility as an actor.