Akanksha Chamola: Intimacy should serve the script, not exist for effect

Akanksha Chamola, who returned to acting after eight years with Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye, is set to make her OTT debut with Dil Dhokha Aur Desire, where she plays Malini. The shift to the digital space marks a key phase in her comeback. She shares, “Stepping into OTT feels like a big leap for me. This character is complex, layered, and completely different from what I played earlier. I feel fortunate to be getting such varied opportunities within a year of returning.”Drawing a parallel between her real life and her character, Akanksha reflects on being in an age-gap relationship. Married to actor Gaurav Khanna, who is nine years older than her, she feels the difference often shows in everyday perspectives. “There’s a clear difference in outlook and vibe. I may laugh off certain situations, while my partner responds differently. Preferences also vary. With age, you become calmer and more composed, while youth brings more instinctive reactions.” Addressing the ongoing debate around intimacy and exposure in OTT content, Akanksha believes the responsibility does not lie with platforms alone. She explains, “Such content is being made because people are consuming it. If people start rejecting it, it will stop being made. Just blaming OTT platforms for showing extreme intimacy and bold content is one-sided and biased. It works because the audience is consuming it. If you reject it, artistes and producers are not desperate to make it. One is simply catering to the audience’s requirements.”When asked about her own comfort level with intimate scenes on screen, she replies, “I have my own constraints, and there is a limit to what I can do. Even with this project, I would say we have maintained a very respectable line.”She adds that having a supportive partner makes navigating such choices easier. “Being with someone who understands the industry helps. We discuss work, stay aligned, and support each other when a decision feels right.”