Producer who worked with Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra breaks silence on their rumoured romance: ‘Humans are prone to make mistakes’

Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra were one of the most sought-after on-screen jodis in the 2000s. They delivered hits such as ‘Aitraaz,’ ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karoge,’ ‘Andaaz,’ ‘Waqt,’ etc. However, as the buzz of a romance between them began to gain steam, Akshay decided to step back from working with her. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, director-producer Suneel Darshan, who had produced their 2003 hit ‘Andaaz,’ broke his silence on their rumoured affair.

The veteran filmmaker revealed Akshay was supposed to star opposite Priyanka in the 2005 romantic drama ‘Barsaat,’ and they had even shot a song, but things quickly went south, and Akshay bowed out of the movie.

The director revealed that the actor was going through a personal crisis and requested the film be continued with one of them. However, he refused to lay the onus of the alleged affair on Priyanka and maintained that actors, especially those who are married, should be responsible.


“It’s human nature to make mistakes. And it is destined for producers to bear the brunt of their mistakes…” he concluded.

Bobby Deol was roped in to feature opposite Chopra in Barsaat eventually. The movie emerged as a modest hit in 2003.

In a previous chat with Friday Talkies too, Darshan spoke about the rumoured romance between the two stars and claimed that as the buzz of an affair grew, Akshay’s wife, Twinkle, packed her bags and left their home.

“As an actor you have to be responsible. If your wife has been an actress, she knows everything about the industry, and she has also worked with all the big stars. She knew everything,” he said.

In that interview too, he refrained from blaming Chopra. “She was doing what was in her own interest.”

However, in another interview, with Vickey Lalwani, the filmmaker did not hide his resentment about the entire ordeal. “After making me wait for 18 months, to say that I can’t be a part of the film, I was shocked… He did want to compensate by saying he’d do the next film with me, but I just thought it was unbelievable, coming from Akshay,” he said.

Suneel Darshan and Akshay Kumar had worked together on several notable films, including Jaanwar, Ek Rishtaa, Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, Talaash: The Hunt Begins..., and Andaaz. Despite their successful collaborations, the director-producer distanced himself from the actor and remained out of contact with him for nearly twenty years.