Mumbai, December 14, 2025 – Where has Akshaye Khanna been? That's the question on actress Vidya Balan's mind, as she recently sparked a wave of nostalgia and curiosity regarding the actor's career. Her query comes amidst what many are calling Khanna's striking comeback in the film industry.
The buzz started when Vidya Balan humorously recounted an incident from her early career during the Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Summit. She revealed that she had been offered a film opposite Akshaye Khanna early in her career but didn't connect with the script. Instead of informing Khanna directly, she asked her manager to convey her decision to the director.
The story took an amusing turn when Balan and Khanna crossed paths on the set of the 2007 film Salaam-e-Ishq. According to Balan, Khanna playfully "fired" her for not telling him personally about turning down the role. She laughingly admitted that she was so new to the industry at the time that she felt nervous and sought refuge in her co-star, John Abraham. "I went up to John and said, 'Can you please save me?'" Vidya recounted. She added that she didn't want any confrontation or to hurt anyone's feelings.
Balan confessed that she later realized Khanna was just teasing her. Reflecting on the incident, particularly after marrying producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, she gained a deeper appreciation for the effort and emotional investment that goes into filmmaking. She now understands how much filmmakers invest in each project and values the work that goes into creating a script.
Salaam-e-Ishq, directed by Nikkhil Advani, featured a star-studded cast including Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Govinda, and Juhi Chawla. The film presented six interwoven love stories and gave Balan and Khanna the opportunity to share screen space.
Vidya Balan was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which was released in November 2024, alongside Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri.
Akshaye Khanna, on the other hand, has been praised for his recent roles, including his portrayal of Aurangzeb in the film Chhaava. This role is seen by many as a significant part of his "comeback" to the forefront of Bollywood. Fans and critics have lauded Khanna's performance, further fueling the discussion about his career resurgence.
