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​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
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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.

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Copyright © Jun 6, 2026, 07.28AM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service