Twinkle Khanna, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar’s wife and a celebrated writer, has had enough of being labeled with a title she doesn’t relate to—“star wife.” For two decades, she’s been dodging the same question repeatedly asked in interviews: “What’s it like being a star wife?”
In her recent column for The Times of India, Twinkle shared her witty take on the topic. She described her initial frustration but admitted she’s mastered the art of handling it with humor and wisdom over the years.
“When someone asks me what it’s like to be a star wife, my first thought is to bite the reporter’s finger,” she wrote, adding a touch of her signature sarcasm. “But I usually respond with something like, ‘I don’t think an entity called star wife exists, unless you’re talking about women marrying celestial bodies like Sirius or Halley’s Comet because of some astrological dosh.’”
Finding Humor in the Annoying
Twinkle, known for her sharp wit, said she’s developed an “oyster-like attitude to irritants.” Over time, she has turned these pesky questions into opportunities to craft what she calls “black pearls of wisdom.”
She shared another common query she gets, which revolves around her and Akshay’s differing political views. Twinkle finds it amusing that people expect her to influence her husband’s choices as if he were a child. “It’s almost like they think he’s a toddler. I can imagine people picturing me saying, ‘Beta ji, walk on the left side of the road, and I’ll buy you a Frooti,’” she quipped.
A Life Beyond Labels
Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar tied the knot in January 2001 and have since built a family with their two children, Aarav and Nitara. Despite being married to one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Twinkle has carved her own identity. She’s an accomplished writer and recently completed a Master’s degree in Fiction Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London.
“People often forget that I’ve always had my own life and career,” she hinted in her column. Twinkle has authored best-selling books like Mrs. Funnybones and The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad, which highlight her unique voice and perspective.
Dealing with Stereotypes
Twinkle’s humor-laden responses shed light on the pressure women often face when their identity is tied to their spouse’s success. Many assume she plays a traditional “supporting” role rather than being her own person.
The 20-year journey of answering the same question hasn’t dulled her sense of humor. In fact, it’s only sharpened her ability to craft clever comebacks. For Twinkle, her words are her weapon, and she wields them with precision.
Why It Matters
Twinkle’s take resonates with many women who feel boxed in by societal expectations. Her ability to laugh off stereotypes while making meaningful points is a reminder to not take life—or labels—too seriously.
Twinkle continues to inspire by staying true to herself, balancing humor and honesty, and showing the world that she’s much more than just Akshay Kumar’s wife. As she puts it, “A star wife? Only if Sirius or Halley’s Comet were part of the deal.”
This candid insight from Twinkle is another example of her knack for storytelling and her ability to find humor in everyday challenges, even the repetitive and often annoying ones.
