Exclusive | Akanksha Chamola says husband Gaurav Khanna found her bisexuality 'very hot’

Akanksha Chamola and Gaurav Khanna (Picture via Instagram)

Akanksha Chamola has been repeatedly questioned about her statement on bisexuality, particularly after an actor claimed that she could get work in OTT but might not find opportunities in television following her revelation. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, the actress addressed the criticism, accusations from the queer community and her appearance on Tejasswi Prakash's podcast during Lock Upp, which she claimed was heavily edited.

Reacting to the suggestion that her bisexuality could affect her television career, Akanksha said, "We've seen so many such people in the industry. I don't think that's a problem. But I think we're missing out the positive thing also." She recalled the comment about her future career, saying, "I think that person mentioned that she'll get it in OTT, in web, but not in TV. So let's look at the positive. If I was getting it in OTT or web, I'm happy about it."

Akanksha Chamola breaks silence on her bisexuality confession

However, Akanksha disagreed that television casting works according to an actor's sexuality. "But TV, I don't think even TV works like that. Nobody will cast me on the basis that you're heterosexual or homo or bisexual. Nobody will ask that," she said. The actress added, "If it's in my craft and if I'm the requirement that they want, they will definitely cast me. If it's not, it will not be on the basis of whether I'm bisexual or not."

Akanksha also spoke about her appearance on Tejasswi Prakash's podcast and alleged that her comments were selectively edited. "See even when I went for Tejaswi's podcast, and I think that was also heavily edited, where they very smartly edited the portion, they only kept that portion where I'm actually arguing with her."

She clarified that she was speaking about her own experiences and was never claiming to represent the queer community. "When I'm talking about my personal experience. I'm not talking on behalf of the community. I'm not a spokesperson for this community." She explained, "When I was in that show, I'm representing myself as an individual and not the entire community. So if I'm narrating that this is the phase that I've gone through, you are open to judge me on that."

Akanksha said she had specifically spoken about being bisexual before marriage and her husband Gaurav Khanna's response to it. "I have very specifically mentioned that I was bisexual before I got married. My husband accepted that because he did find it to be a very hot thing." She added candidly, "Guys find it very hot. I don't know why people can't accept that. Majority men find it to be very hot."

Not the spokesperson for the queer community

According to Akanksha, her decision to remain committed to her husband after marriage was also part of her personal journey. "I did not pull myself out of it. But I chose, like I said, I will not cheat on my husband. I have chosen to be with this one person. I will stick to that one person." She continued, "And then after that, when I'm saying that I've reached a point where I'm asexual, there are many heterosexual females who turn asexual after a point of time. So what is a big deal when I'm saying that I was bisexual, then I got married, now I'm asexual?"

Akanksha stressed, "I'm talking about myself. I'm not talking about them. I'm not their spokesperson." Addressing the possibility of identifying differently in the future, she said, "Tomorrow I might go ahead and declare to the world that I'm pansexual. What can you do about it? I'm talking about my own self."

Speaking about her personal support system, she said, "Even though I was closeted, I've specifically mentioned that I come from a background where my friends have also accepted it." She added, "I've never had a problem with any of my friends." The actress also said, "I've never had a bad experience. Like Sufi mentioned it, that he had to struggle through it. I never had to struggle through it."

Addressing questions about her parents, Akanksha said, "I've always said that okay they've accepted it. They don't have a problem with that. I am a blessed girl. I can't help it." She concluded, "It's your choice, it's my choice. So whether you take it in a positive way or a negative way, that is your prerogative. That's not on me."

Akanksha maintained, "When I am discussing things, I am talking about my own self. It's my phases that I am talking about. I am not talking about the community at all."