Your Privacy is Important to us

We encourage you to review our Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms listed here. In case you want to opt out, please click "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in the footer of this page.

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

We won't sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

Continue on TOI App
Open App
Login for better experience!
Login Now
Welcome! to timesofindia.com
TOI INDTOI USTOI GCC
TOI+
  • Home
  • Live
  • TOI Games
  • Top Headlines
  • India
  • City News
  • Photos
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Entertainment
  • Movie Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Podcasts
  • Elections
  • Web Series
  • Sports
  • TV
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Events
  • World
  • Music
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • Tech
  • Auto
  • Education
  • Log Out
Follow Us On
Open App
  • ETIMES
  • CINEMA
  • VIDEOS
  • TV
  • LIFESTYLE
  • VISUAL STORIES
  • MUSIC
  • TRAVEL
  • FOOD
  • TRENDING
  • EVENTS
  • THEATRE
  • PHOTOS
  • MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MOVIE LISTINGS
  • HEALTH
  • RELATIONSHIP
  • WEB SERIES
  • BOX OFFICE

​Love with restraint, ‘Taal’, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Hulchul’ define Akshaye Khanna’s romantic legacy​

Sonal Khandelwal
| ETimes.in | Last updated on - Jan 9, 2026, 13:52 IST
Comments
Share
1/5

Taal

Akshaye Khanna’s Manav is remembered for quiet devotion rather than dramatic pursuit. His love is steady, respectful, and emotionally evolved. Instead of competing loudly, he allows feelings to mature with patience. This portrayal challenged the idea that romance must be loud to be meaningful, making Manav one of Hindi cinema’s most dignified lovers.

2/5

Salaam-e-Ishq

Akshaye Khanna portrayed a man navigating love with hesitation, vulnerability, and emotional honesty. His segment explored commitment fears and emotional disconnect with sensitivity. Rather than grand gestures, his romance relied on conversations and silences, making it relatable for audiences who recognised love’s quieter struggles.

3/5

Dil Chahta Hai

As Siddharth, Akshaye Khanna brought emotional depth to a modern love story. His character’s artistic soul and inner conflicts shaped a romance that felt introspective and tender. Sid’s love was rooted in understanding rather than possession, capturing the loneliness, growth, and maturity of adult relationships in a changing urban world.

4/5

Hulchul

In a film filled with chaos and humour, Akshaye Khanna’s romantic presence felt calm and sincere. His love story unfolded gently, balancing comedy with warmth. He played romance as something organic and unforced, proving that softness and emotional clarity could shine even within a loud, ensemble-driven narrative.

5/5

Mere Baap Pehle Aap

This film showcased a lighter, more playful romantic side of Akshaye Khanna. His character combined maturity with gentle humour, offering a romance shaped by understanding and second chances. The love story reflected emotional readiness rather than youthful impulsiveness, adding depth to a family-oriented narrative.

Start a Conversation

Post comment
Featured In Entertainment
  • 'Dhurandhar' world television premiere: When and where to watch?
  • 'Hai Jawani' Song Row: makers call Bhagnani smear campaign; rights battle heads to SC
  • Ramesh hits back at Vashu over Chunnari Chunnari row
  • Actors' exits from films that sparked controversy
  • Song lyrics of the day by Harry Styles
  • Swedish man recreates ‘Gehra Hua’ from 'Dhurandhar'; makers react
  • Sri Sri Ravi Shankar meets Bollywood celebs, Vikrant Massey, Sunil Grover
  • ‘Emily in Paris’ and ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ to bid goodbye to their OTT home
  • Who is Tabinda Sanpal, the ‘Gold Queen’ of ‘Desi Bling’?
Photostories
  • 5 classic hill stations in India that are also traffic nightmares
  • The body check: What workplace stress is secretly doing to your brain, heart and sleep
  • RCB reaches the IPL 2026 finale, and Virat Kohli celebrates the only way he knows – by twinning with Anushka Sharma
  • Varun Dhawan's ‘Chunnari Chunnari’, Kiara Advani's ‘Cheez Badi’ to Jacqueline's ‘Ek Do Teen’ : Bollywood song remakes that failed to impress audiences
  • 10 unique sea snakes and places they can be found on beach by travellers
  • Success quote of the day by Ernest Hemingway: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man..."
  • Shah Rukh Khan’s legendary ‘Om Shanti Om’ 6-pack wasn’t just built in the gym; Know the makeup magic that fooled everyone
  • Cotton vs linen: What’s the real difference and which one should you actually wear?
  • 4 personality traits of Akshay Kumar that make him a go-getter and an eternal action hero
Explore more Stories
  • 8
    Varun Dhawan's ‘Chunnari Chunnari’, Kiara Advani's ‘Cheez Badi’ to Jacqueline's ‘Ek Do Teen’ : Bollywood song remakes that failed to impress audiences
  • 6
    Ranveer Singh, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp: Actors' exits from films and web series that sparked controversy
  • 9
    Allu Arjun, Mohanlal, Rishab Shetty and more: South Indian actors who earned National Awards for iconic performances
  • 9
    From Ranveer Singh's 'Don 3' to Salman Khan’s exit from ‘Inshallah’: Bollywood’s biggest on-set fallout stories
  • 6
    Best moments from AMA 2026: From the Black Eyed Peas’ reunion to BTS’ return after 4 years
Up Next
  • ETimes
  • /
  • Entertainment
  • /
  • Hindi
  • /
  • Bollywood
  • /
  • ​Love with restraint, ‘Taal’, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Hulchul’ define Akshaye Khanna’s romantic legacy​
About UsTerms Of UsePrivacy PolicyCookie Policy

Copyright © May 27, 2026, 07.33PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service