Twinkle Khanna is a former Bollywood actress who transformed herself into one of India’s most popular lifestyle writers, bestselling authors, entrepreneur-designers and a thoughtful public voice on parenting, interiors and culture
She began her career on film sets in the 1990s, won the Filmfare Best Female Debut award, then moved into interior design and writing.
Her witty, sharp and humane voice in columns and books made her a household name as “Mrs Funnybones.” Below you’ll find a full biography, a career timeline, a stats table, a frequently asked questions section and sources.
Daughter of two celebrated actors, she made an early mark in cinema and then deliberately stepped away from acting to pursue design and writing.
What made her transition remarkable was how fully she reinvented herself. Today she is known not only as Akshay Kumar’s wife but more importantly as a bestselling author, a columnist with a distinct voice and a serious entrepreneur in interiors and publishing.
Her writing combines humor with frankness, and that tone has resonated with millions of readers. This article is a deep dive into her life, work and influence.
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Table of Contents
Twinkle Khanna’s Biography
Early life and family background
Twinkle Khanna was born on 29 December 1973 into one of Bollywood’s most famous families.
Her father Rajesh Khanna was a superstar of Hindi cinema and her mother Dimple Kapadia is a respected actress.
Growing up, Twinkle experienced the unique mix of public attention and private family life that comes with a filmi household.
She has spoken in interviews about the influence of both parents on her life, including how her mother’s strength shaped her own sense of independence and taste.1
Her upbringing exposed her to film sets early on. Yet she chose to chart her own path rather than rely solely on family connections.
That mix of insider knowledge of show business and a will to make her own mark would later inform both her acting career and her writing voice.
Education and early interests
Details about Twinkle’s formal schooling are often less public than her filmography. She completed her schooling in India and spent her youth around creative people.
Over time she developed interests beyond acting, including interior design and writing.
After stepping back from films, she focused on building a lifestyle business and honing her pen, taking on columns and short-form writing that eventually led to full-length books.
Hmm..If you thought I couldn’t speak Marathi, think again. But then what the hell am I saying anyway:) @itsKajolD #Govinda #ChunkyPanday
Episode out now on @PrimeVideoIN @Banijayasia pic.twitter.com/bx8PrUw5Ko— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) October 18, 2025
Stats at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Twinkle Khanna |
| Date of birth | 29 December 1973. |
| Place of birth | Mumbai (variously reported as Pune or Mumbai in some sources), India. |
| Parents | Rajesh Khanna (father, late) and Dimple Kapadia (mother). |
| Education | Schooling in India, studies and early life in a filmi household; later pursued interior design and creative projects. |
| Film debut | Barsaat (1995); won Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. |
| Acting career | 1995–2001 (selected films: Barsaat, Jaanam, Joru Ka Ghulam, Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan). |
| Writing career | Columnist and author. Debut non-fiction: Mrs Funnybones (2015). Novels: The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad (short story collection), Pyjamas Are Forgiving (2018). |
| Entrepreneurial ventures | The White Window (interior design stores), lifestyle initiatives, production/curation roles. |
| Spouse | Akshay Kumar (married 17 January 2001). |
| Children | Son Aarav (born 2002) and daughter Nitara (born 2012). |
| Notable awards | Filmfare Best Female Debut; national recognition for books and columns; multiple literary and popular accolades. |
| Net worth (est.) | Various estimates place her individual/net combined assets in the multi-crore range. Estimates differ by source. |
| Known as | Mrs Funnybones (pen name/brand), writer, columnist, interior designer, former actress. |
Film Career
Rise, Highlights and Decision to stop
Twinkle made her acting debut opposite Bobby Deol in Barsaat (1995). The movie gave her immediate recognition, and she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance.
Over the next few years she acted alongside major stars of the era, including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Aamir Khan. Some of her well-known films include Barsaat, Jaanam, Joru Ka Ghulam and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
While she had a successful start, Twinkle chose to quit full-time acting around the early 2000s.
Reasons she has described publicly include a desire for privacy, interest in other creative fields and a wish to build a life away from constant film publicity. In 2001, she married actor Akshay Kumar and soon turned her energies toward design and writing.
Transition to Interiors and Entrepreneurship
After leaving a full-time acting career, Twinkle co-founded The White Window, an interior design store and studio.
Her move into interiors reflected a long-standing interest in aesthetics, home and lifestyle. The White Window grew as a boutique brand focused on design sensibilities that balance modern taste with lived-in warmth.
This entrepreneurial phase grounded Twinkle in a new creative community. It also gave her the practical experience that later enriched her writing on home life, fashion and relationships. Her work in interiors established her not just as a celebrity figure but as a businessperson with an eye for detail.
Writing Career: Columns, Voice and Major Books
Twinkle’s writing career is the part of her story that turned her into a distinctly public voice.
She began writing columns that blended humour with honest observations about family life, celebrity culture and modern Indian society.
Her tone is often candid, self-deprecating and sharply observant. Readers embraced that voice and soon her columns found wide readership.
Major books
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Mrs Funnybones (2015) — Twinkle’s debut non-fiction collection of columns and essays. The book became a bestseller and cemented her reputation as a bestselling woman writer in India. It combines memoir, social commentary and homey anecdotes delivered with a wry tone.2
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The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad (2016) — A short story collection that includes the story that inspired the critically discussed short film Pad Man, which addressed menstrual hygiene and received broad attention.
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Pyjamas Are Forgiving (2018) — A novel that focuses on marriage, grief and rebirth. It showcases Twinkle’s growth as a novelist and her facility with longer narrative forms.
Her books are characterized by warmth, humour and a clear point of view. Critics and readers frequently praised her wit and the relatability of her subjects.
Writing Style and Influence
Twinkle’s strength lies in finding humour and insight in everyday life. She writes in a voice that feels conversational yet crafted.
That blend helped her cross the boundary from newspaper columns to book sales. She has become a sought-after speaker on panels, a writer who can script speeches, and a thought partner for brands seeking a witty but sensible voice.
Beyond entertainment, Twinkle’s work has had social impact. The story from The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad inspired awareness around menstrual health and social entrepreneurship in India. Her columns have also sparked conversations about parenting, identity and gender.
Books to film: Pad Man and Social Resonance
One of the most notable cultural impacts linked to Twinkle’s work is the film Pad Man (2018), which was inspired by a story she published in The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad.
The film, starring Akshay Kumar, brought the subject of menstrual hygiene into mainstream cinema conversation.
While the film generated debate, it undeniably helped push an important social topic into public discourse. This demonstrated Twinkle’s ability to influence beyond literary circles.
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Personal Life
Marriage, Children and Family Priorities
Twinkle Khanna married actor Akshay Kumar on 17 January 2001. The couple have maintained a marriage that is widely covered in media both for its longevity and for how they balance public careers and private life.
Akshay and Twinkle have two children: Aarav (born 2002) and Nitara (born 2012). Twinkle has often written and spoken about parenting, including candid reflections on raising kids in a public family and on issues like identity and body image. 3
Her approach to family life tends to be private but honest. She uses her public platform to normalize conversations about parenting struggles, confidence-building, and how to raise children in a mixed cultural and media-saturated world.
Media Presence
Twinkle’s public persona is the combination of wry columnist, serious author and stylish entrepreneur.
She appears frequently in lifestyle interviews, writes columns, and uses social media to share short observations and promote her work.
Media coverage often highlights her quick humor, intelligence and the ease with which she moves between worlds film, literature, design, and social issues.
She has also collaborated with brands and written scripts or speeches for colleagues. Fashion magazines and lifestyle platforms regularly feature her, but she remains selective about endorsements and public appearances.
Philanthropy
Twinkle has been linked to social causes through both writing and advocacy. The Pad Man connection is one such example where a story she published contributed to a larger social dialogue.
She has used her influence to raise issues in parenting, education and women’s empowerment.
While not known primarily as a high-profile philanthropist, her writing and public commentary often highlight social issues with empathy and personal insight.
Business and Creative Ventures
Beyond The White Window and her books, Twinkle has engaged in other creative projects. She has been involved in conceptual and scripted work for events, in curatorial projects and in mentoring writers.
Her business choices reflect a long-term interest in creating brands and content that are tasteful, commercially sensible and socially aware.
Awards and Recognition
Twinkle’s early Filmfare award for her acting debut remains part of her cinematic legacy. As an author, she has received praise and book awards, and her bestseller status with Mrs Funnybones is widely cited.
Critics often single out her columns for their clarity and moral intelligence. Her ability to switch careers and succeed in multiple arenas is frequently noted in profiles and features.
Criticisms and Controversies
Like many public figures, Twinkle has faced critique at times. As a celebrity writer she has been in the crosshairs of social media debate about privacy, parenting and class.
Some critics question whether celebrity columnists are uniquely positioned to talk about everyday problems. Yet her consistent popularity indicates that many readers find her voice honest and accessible.
Legacy
Twinkle Khanna’s journey from film actor to bestselling writer and entrepreneur is an example of reinvention. She illustrates how public figures can pivot to new forms of creativity and influence without simply relying on celebrity.
Her writing has added to public conversations in India about motherhood, cleanliness, women’s health and everyday dignity. Whether through a comic column or a novel dealing with grief, she has shown that a personal voice can travel wide.
Filmography
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Barsaat (1995) — debut, Filmfare Best Female Debut.
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Jaanam (1995)
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Joru Ka Ghulam (2000)
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Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001)
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Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998)
Selected Bibliography
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Mrs Funnybones (2015). Collection of columns and essays. Bestseller.
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The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad (2016). Short stories; includes story that inspired Pad Man.
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Pyjamas Are Forgiving (2018). Novel exploring marriage, grief and family.
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FAQ’s
Q: When was Twinkle Khanna born?
A: 29 December 1973.
Q: Who are Twinkle Khanna’s parents?
A: Her father was the late Rajesh Khanna and her mother is Dimple Kapadia.
Q: Which film marked Twinkle’s debut and did she win any awards?
A: She debuted in Barsaat (1995) and won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Q: Who is Twinkle Khanna married to and when did they marry?
A: She is married to actor Akshay Kumar. They married on 17 January 2001.
Q: How many children does Twinkle Khanna have and what are their names?
A: Two children: son Aarav (born 2002) and daughter Nitara (born 2012).
Q: What are Twinkle Khanna’s bestselling books?
A: Mrs Funnybones is her best-known bestseller. Pyjamas Are Forgiving and The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad are also widely read.
Q: Did any of Twinkle Khanna’s writings have film adaptations?
A: The story from The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad inspired the film Pad Man, which dealt with menstrual hygiene and received wide attention.
Q: What does Twinkle do now?
A: She writes, runs design projects, engages in occasional curatorial work and speaks publicly. She also focuses on family life.
Q: Is Twinkle Khanna still involved in films?
A: She no longer acts as a full-time actress but stays connected to the film industry through writing and occasional projects.
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