EXCLUSIVE | 'Indian Matchmaking' star Akshay reveals why he called things off with Radhika
Akshay Jakhete became a popular meme overnight after appearing on Netflix's 'Indian Matchmaking'. The 25-year-old Mumbai resident became the subject of a lot of jokes after he declared that he wanted a girl just like his mother. On the show, when he was asked by the matchmaker Sima Taparia what qualities he was looking for in his future wife, he revealed that he was looking for someone like his mother. Later on the show, we saw Sima and Akshay's mother Preeti ranting about how he rejected several girls just based on seeing their photographs without any explanation.
As her last Hail Mary effort, Preeti shortlisted three girls for Akshay and asked him to pick one of them. He then zeroed in on a girl from Udaipur named Radhika. We see Radhika's family and his family meeting up, and things going smoothly between the couple, as Akshay declares that he is beginning to fall for her. Akshay's segment on the show ends with a 'roka ceremony' (a Hindu pre-engagement ceremony) between Radhika and him. Akshay only took part in the aforementioned ceremony and didn't get engaged to Radhika.
In an exclusive interview with MEA WorldWide (MEAWW), Akshay updated us on his current relationship status, what he meant when he said that he wanted a girl like his mother, and a lot more. When asked if he was still seeing Radhika, he revealed that he called off things the very next day. "No, it was called off the next day itself. I realized in the night I couldn't sleep, the whole thing was going on in my head, like 'What am I doing with my life, or what's going on? I cannot be stuck with this person'."
He then goes on to explain why he called things off with Radhika. "Not that there's something wrong with the person, but we are two completely different people. I mean, we couldn't even hold a conversation together for more than five minutes," he said. "So that's the only reason. The next day itself, I was like, 'I'm not doing this'," adds Akshay, while declaring that he is currently single.
Akshay received a lot of backlash for saying that he wants a girl like his mother, Preeti. So, we asked him how he felt about that, and what exactly did he mean by it. He wonders, "I don't know why I'm getting so much backlash. I mean, what is wrong with that? I don't understand." He then explains, "My mother's qualities basically. I have seen my mother supporting my father and taking care of us when he was out for work. She has a very good nature and is very helpful, calm, and composed, So those kinds of qualities is what I would also like to see in my future partner." So, now that he is back to square one once again, we asked him if his mother was still looking for matches for him. He shared that his parents aren't pressurizing him anymore, and letting him decide when he is ready to settle down, and are reportedly even open to him finding a girl on his own.
'Indian Matchmaking' had a bunch of singles seeking help of Sima for finding their perfect match. While Sima presented Akshay with Radhika, we wondered if there was anybody else from the show who caught his eye. Akshay then revealed that if given a choice he would have liked to be paired with Nadia. He then goes on to explain why he picked Nadia by sharing how he admires her strength and confidence.
'Indian Matchmaking' is available for streaming on Netflix.
