Table of Contents
Twinkle Khanna Actress
Few are fortunate enough to share a birthday with a parent, but Tina, now known as Twinkle, is among those privileged few. Born on December 29, 1973, she shares this special day with her father, Jatin, also known as the superstar Rajesh Khanna, who was born in 1942. Tina is the daughter of the renowned Bollywood actress Dimple Kapadia, and she has a sister named Rinke, who is married to the industrialist Sameer Saran and has a daughter. Her aunt is the Bollywood actress and costume designer, Simple Kapadia. Although her parents are no longer together, Tina and her father share this unique bond.
Twinkle Khanna made her acting debut in the film “Barsaat” in 1995 at the age of 21, starring alongside Bobby Deol, Dharmendra’s second son. Despite receiving average box office ratings, the movie helped establish both actors in the industry. She went on to appear in a total of 15 films, including one in Telugu called “Seenu” opposite Venkatesh. Twinkle acted alongside various stars such as Salman Khan, Govinda, Shahrukh Khan, and Aamir Khan. Her performance in “Barsaat” earned her the Best Debut award.
She was briefly engaged to Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, also known as Rajiv Bhatia. Although their engagement was initially broken off, they later reconciled and were married on January 14, 2001. Following her marriage, Twinkle Khanna decided to retire from acting and welcomed a son named Araav on September 15, 2002.
After becoming a mother, Twinkle Khanna ventured into interior design in partnership with Gurlein Manchanda. They opened an interior design store called White Window in Bombay’s Crawford Market, which later received the El Decor Award. She is currently in the process of opening another store in Bombay.
In addition to her previous ventures, Twinkle Khanna, also known as Tina Jatin Khanna, has established herself as an accomplished author, columnist, and film producer. Her first non-fiction book, “Mrs Funnybones,” released in 2015, became a bestseller, making her India’s highest-selling woman writer that year. She continued her literary success with “The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad” and “Pyjamas Are Forgiving,” both of which further solidified her position as a bestselling author in India. Her latest book, “Welcome to Paradise,” released in 2023, received critical acclaim and reached the number one position in fiction on various bestseller lists.
Twinkle Khanna further expanded her horizons by pursuing a Masters in Fiction Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Her final dissertation was shortlisted for the Pat Kavanagh Prize. Additionally, she launched Tweak India, a bilingual digital media platform for women, and actively supports various causes.
Although she is known for her contributions to Hindi cinema, Twinkle Khanna retired from acting after her film “Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega” in 2001, choosing to focus on her diverse array of talents and ventures.
Early and Personal Life
Twinkle Khanna entered the world on December 29 in Mumbai, the eldest of Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna’s two daughters, sharing a birthday with her father. Her maternal grandfather, Chunnibhai Kapadia, hailed from a Gujarati business background, while her father, born into a Punjabi Khatri Hindu family in Amritsar, Punjab, came from a lineage of railway contractors. She holds a special admiration for her maternal aunt, Simple Kapadia, known for her roles as an actress and costume designer. Twinkle Khanna sister Rinke Khanna and cousin Karan Kapadia also pursued careers in acting.
Her educational journey began at New Era High School in Panchgani, followed by studies at Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics. Initially aspiring to become a chartered accountant after completing her Class 12, she veered towards the film industry at the behest of her parents.
Furthering her academic pursuits, Twinkle earned a Master of Arts degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, graduating in 2024.
In 2001, she actively participated in her father’s election campaign in New Delhi. It was during a photoshoot for Filmfare magazine that she crossed paths with Akshay Kumar, whom she later married on January 17, 2001. Their union blessed them with a son named Aarav and a daughter named Nitara. Akshay often attributes his success to Twinkle’s support.
Twinkle Khanna fashion sense garnered attention when People magazine ranked her as the fourth-best-dressed celebrity in India in 2009. In 2014, she underwent surgery at Breach Candy Hospital to address a kidney stone issue.
In a significant move, Twinkle Khanna and her sister sold their father’s residence for 85 crores in 2014. She has been active on Twitter since November 2014, engaging with her audience and sharing insights into her life and interests.
Career
Twinkle Khanna stepped into the spotlight alongside Bobby Deol in Rajkumar Santoshi’s melodious romance “Barsaat” (1995). Dharmendra handpicked her for the role, and even before the film hit the screens, Khanna secured roles in two additional projects. “Barsaat” resonated well with audiences, emerging as the sixth-highest-grossing film of the year. Khanna’s portrayal earned her the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. The subsequent year, she ventured into lead roles in Raj Kanwar’s action-packed “Jaan” and Lawrence D’Souza’s romantic tale “Dil Tera Diwana,” starring alongside Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan, respectively. While “Jaan” struck gold at the box office, “Dil Tera Diwana” failed to leave a lasting impression. K.N. Vijiyan of the New Straits Times remarked on Khanna’s distinctive presence, noting her departure from the conventional Hindi actress archetype.
Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar revealed in an interview that Twinkle Khanna was initially considered for the role of Tina in “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” but she declined, leading to Rani Mukerji’s casting. Khanna bid adieu to the film industry after tying the knot with Akshay Kumar in 2001, expressing her lack of passion for acting. Her final silver screen appearance was in “Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega” (2001), a remake of the Telugu film “Money” (1993), opposite Fardeen Khan, which had moderate success at the box office.
Post her acting career, Twinkle Khanna transitioned into the realm of writing, serving as a columnist for Daily News and Analysis and The Times of India. Her debut book, “Mrs. Funnybones,” published by Penguin Random House, swiftly climbed the Nielsen bestseller list, securing the top spot in its first week of release. The book’s success propelled Khanna to become India’s highest-selling female author in 2015. Subsequent literary ventures, including “The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad” and “Pyjamas Are Forgiving,” further solidified her stature as a prolific writer, with both books surpassing 100,000 copies in sales.
In 2022, Twinkle Khanna pursued her passion for fiction writing by enrolling in a master’s program at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her exceptional dissertation earned her distinction and placed her among the finalists for the esteemed Pat Kavanagh Prize.
Prior to her literary endeavors, Twinkle Khanna was engaged to Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, with whom she eventually tied the knot on January 14, 2001. Following their marriage, she embraced motherhood, welcoming their son Araav on September 15, 2002. Post-Araav’s birth, Khanna ventured into the world of interior design, co-founding the acclaimed store “White Window” in Bombay’s Crawford Market, which garnered the prestigious El Decor Award. She currently has plans underway to launch another store in Bombay.
Mini Bio
| Name | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Twinkle Khanna |
| Date of Birth | 29 December 1973 |
| Birth Place | Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
| Citizenship | India |
| Nationality | India |
| University | Goldsmiths, University of London |
| Profession | Actress, Producer |
| Career |
|
| Height | 5′ 4″ (1.63 m) |
| Spouse | Akshay Kumar |
| Marriage Date | m. 2001 |
| Parents |
|
| Siblings | Rinke Khanna(Sibling) |
| Grandparents | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Relatives | N/A |
Flims / Movies
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Barsaat | 1995 |
| Jaan | 1996 |
| Dil Tera Diwana | 1996 |
| Uff! Yeh Mohabbat | 1997 |
| Itihaas | 1997 |
| Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai | 1998 |
| International Khiladi | 1999 |
| Zulmi | 1999 |
| Seenu | 1999 |
| Baadshah | 1999 |
| Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan | 1999 |
| Mela | 2000 |
| Chal Mere Bhai | 2000 |
| Joru Ka Ghulam | 2000 |
| Jodi No.1 | 2001 |
| Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega | 2001 |
Television / Shows
Reference
- Twinkle Khanna Actres – Biography Points

