Television actress Akanksha Chamola revealed on the premiere of Lock Upp Season 2 that she and actor-husband Gaurav Khanna are heading for divorce after living apart for the past year.

Asked to share a secret on the show, Akanksha’s candid confession left hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, as well as the audience, visibly surprised. “Me and Gaurav are getting a divorce. We have been living separately for the last one year, and it’s not been public,” she said.

Akanksha clarified that the separation is amicable. “Things are not bad between me and Gaurav. We still talk to each other. We don’t think we are compatible as partners because we both see a very different future. And, unfortunately, it’s not with each other.”

Akanksha and Gaurav married on November 24, 2016, in a three-day celebration in Kanpur, Gaurav’s hometown. Over the years they publicly supported each other’s careers; Gaurav notably won Bigg Boss 19, where Akanksha appeared during family week. 

Differences on parenthood surfaced publicly after that season.

In a past Bigg Boss conversation Gaurav said he wanted children while Akanksha did not, telling a fellow contestant, “No, my wife doesn’t want. I want, but it’s a love marriage. Whatever she says, manna padega. Pyaar kiya hai toh nibhaana toh padega.”

Earlier this year, Akanksha Chamola had denied rumors of marital trouble. Speaking to The Times of India in January, she insisted there were no problems and said a social-media post that sparked speculation was meant to promote an upcoming series. 

She also addressed online trolling over the couple’s differing views on motherhood, calling herself “the troll queen” and defending her decision: “I don’t see myself choosing motherhood. It’s a personal choice, and I don’t feel the need to justify it to anyone.”

Lock Upp Season 2 premiered on June 27 on Netflix.

Alongside Akanksha, the season’s contestants include Ram Kapoor, Shivangi Joshi, Sunita Ahuja, Dheeraj Dhoopar, Harshad Chopda, Madhuri Grover, Shresta Iyer, Pamala Serena, Akanksha Choudhary, Yogesh Rawat, Riyaz Aly, Shreya Kalra, Varun Yadav and Sufi Motiwala. New episodes stream Saturday to Wednesday at 8 PM.