Akshay Kumar walked away from Barsaat as ‘issues had repercussions on personal life,’ reveals Suneel Darshan

Filmmaker Suneel Darshan has opened up about Akshay Kumar’s unexpected decision to walk away from Barsaat, a 2005 romantic film that was initially set to reunite him with Andaaz co-star Priyanka Chopra. In a conversation with journalist Vickey Lalwani, Darshan recalled how personal matters and media chatter around Akshay and Priyanka disrupted the project.

The film was meant to be a love triangle starring Akshay, Priyanka, and Katrina Kaif. But the plan changed after Akshay stepped away—reportedly after completing a romantic song with Priyanka. “Barsaat was designed immediately after Andaaz, again as a triangular love story with a new dimension,” Suneel said. Akshay had date clashes initially and had asked for a minor postponement, which the producer had agreed to.

While the film's music had already been recorded and the romantic track with Priyanka was shot, things got delayed further when Priyanka travelled abroad for some international shows. “She was out for 3 months. So the film kept getting pushed,” Darshan explained.

Once she returned, Darshan received an unexpected call—not at his usual office, but from Akshay’s set. “He invited me to come there, which was rare. Usually, he would come to my place,” Suneel recalled. “He told me there were issues which were uncontrollable and affecting his personal life. He asked me to decide how we should go forward.”

At that point, media gossip about Akshay and Priyanka had already begun. Darshan, however, didn’t confirm whether either actor refused to work with the other. “It wasn’t about Priyanka or him. The situation had reached a point where… there were issues,” he said carefully. “The audience, the public, the media did mention of a relationship, which the wife got more of,” he added, hinting at the personal complications that followed the rumours.

Eventually, Akshay exited and Bobby Deol stepped in to play the male lead. The film was completed with Priyanka and Bipasha Basu.