Pop culture has a weird way of freezing people in time. For years, the names Twinkle Khanna and Raveena Tandon have been linked together in the tabloid ecosystem like a permanent 90s flashback. Honestly, it’s mostly because of one man. You know who I’m talking about. Akshay Kumar.
But here is the thing. While the internet loves a good "catfight" narrative, the actual reality of their relationship in 2026 is way more mature—and frankly, way more boring—than the gossip columns want you to believe. They aren't throwing shade in dark corners of Filmfare parties. They aren't avoiding each other’s gaze at the local Pilates studio.
In fact, they’ve both been pretty vocal about how they've moved on.
The 90s Drama (And Why It Still Gets Clicks)
To understand why people still search for them together, you have to look at the messy history. Raveena Tandon and Akshay Kumar were the "It" couple. They were reportedly engaged in a secret ceremony in the late 90s after the massive success of Mohra. Raveena has since confirmed that they had a full-blown engagement with a puja and a dupatta ceremony. It was serious.
Then it wasn't.
The breakup was legendary. There were rumors of Akshay being a "Casanova" and links to other stars. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Akshay married Twinkle Khanna in 2001.
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People love a triangle. It’s a classic trope. Because Twinkle entered the picture shortly after the Raveena chapter closed, the media decided they had to be enemies. It’s basically the Jennifer Aniston vs. Angelina Jolie of Bollywood, just with more chiffon sarees and monsoon dance sequences.
The "Lookalike" Incident
One of the funniest—and most telling—moments between the two happened just a few years ago. Twinkle Khanna, who is now better known as the witty author "Mrs Funnybones," shared a story about meeting Arunachalam Muruganantham (the man who inspired Padman).
He told her she looked exactly like Raveena Tandon.
Twinkle joked that she almost dropped his story from her book because of the comparison. It was a self-deprecating, classic Twinkle joke. When the press tried to use this to bait Raveena into a reaction, the "Mast Mast" girl didn't bite. She basically told everyone to relax.
"We are friends," Raveena said during her Maatr promotions. She pointed out that they all move in the same circles and see each other regularly. There’s no "cold war."
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Why the Comparison Persists
Look, if you put a photo of 90s Raveena next to 90s Twinkle, you sort of see it. They both had that thick, voluminous hair and very sharp features. But their career paths couldn't be more different.
- Raveena Tandon stayed in the game. She pivoted into powerful, gritty roles like Aranyak and KGF: Chapter 2. She’s a National Award winner who clearly still loves the craft of acting.
- Twinkle Khanna basically said "I'm out" to acting. She realized she wasn't into it and became a bestselling author and producer. She found her voice in writing rather than on screen.
It’s interesting how we try to pit women against each other for things men did decades ago. Raveena has been married to film distributor Anil Thadani since 2004. Twinkle and Akshay have been married for over 25 years.
Modern Day Maturity
In a recent 2025 interaction that did the rounds on social media, Raveena touched upon the "broken engagement" topic again. She expressed frustration that while girls in college change boyfriends every week, her one broken engagement from thirty years ago is still a headline.
She’s right. It’s a bit ridiculous.
Twinkle, on her part, has always maintained a level of "above-it-all" humor. She doesn't engage with the old gossip because, frankly, why would she? She won the long game of stability, and Raveena won the game of personal peace and a thriving second career.
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Actionable Insights: Moving Past the Gossip
If you’re still clicking on "Twinkle vs. Raveena" headlines, here is a reality check for how to view celebrity history:
- Separate Persona from Reality: The "rivalry" is a product of 90s film magazines (like Stardust) that needed to sell copies.
- Respect the Evolution: Acknowledge that people change. The person someone was at 22 is not who they are at 50.
- Check the Sources: Most "feud" stories rely on "sources close to the actress." If there isn't a direct quote, it’s probably manufactured.
- Look at the Kids: The new generation of Bollywood (like Raveena’s daughter Rasha) is growing up in a much more connected, less "cattily" divided industry.
The "feud" is a ghost. It doesn't exist anywhere except in archives and the minds of people who miss the 90s. Both women have built empires, raised families, and remained relevant on their own terms.
Instead of searching for old fights, it’s actually more interesting to look at how they’ve both handled the transition from "actress" to "powerhouse" in an industry that usually discards women after 35. That’s the real story.
You should definitely follow Twinkle's "Tweak India" or watch Raveena’s recent interviews to see how much more they have to offer than just being "exes" of the same guy.
Next Steps to Understand the Dynamics:
- Watch Raveena Tandon’s interview with ANI where she breaks down why she’s over the 90s narrative.
- Read Twinkle Khanna’s column in The Times of India to see her perspective on modern relationships and aging in the public eye.
- Check out the 2026 release schedule for Rasha Thadani to see how the next generation is navigating the industry.