The Bollywood rumor mills have long been abuzz with stories about Akshay Kumar’s relationships with various actresses. But none created as much buzz as the alleged affair between Akshay and veteran actress Rekha, mainly because of their age difference. Although neither ever confirmed it, the whispers started during the shooting of their 1996 film Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi, which featured some steamy scenes between the two and made quite a splash.

• Released on 14 June 1996, this action thriller was directed by Umesh Mehra and produced by Keshu Ramsay.

• Alongside Akshay Kumar and Rekha, the film starred Raveena Tandon, Inder Kumar, Gulshan Grover, and others.

• The music by Anu Malik was a major hit, with popular songs like "Tu Kaun Hai Tera Naam Kya", "Aaj Meri Zindagi Mein", and "Maa Sherawaliye".

• The film’s budget was around ₹6.5 crore, while it grossed a whopping ₹25.15 crore worldwide, making it a superhit.

• The movie included a memorable look-alike of WWE’s Undertaker, adding to its thrill.

Akshay Kumar played Akshay Malhotra, who sends his younger brother Ajay (Inder Kumar) abroad for studies. When Ajay mysteriously disappears, Akshay dives into the underworld by infiltrating the gang of female don Maya (Rekha) to find him. Meanwhile, Akshay falls in love with Maya’s sister Priya (Raveena Tandon), even as Maya herself harbors feelings for him. The film follows Akshay’s quest and the tangled love story amid crime and action.

You can watch Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi on Zee5 by subscribing to the platform.

This movie not only gave Bollywood a gripping thriller but also fueled gossip that keeps fans intrigued even decades later.