Moneycontrol PRO
Swing Trading 101
Swing Trading 101

Akshay Kumar reacts to Ashu Jain’s Master’s at 44, PhD at 53, says, "she reminds me of Twinkle”

The upcoming episode of Wheel of Fortune goes beyond puzzles and prizes, as host Akshay Kumar is left inspired by 58-year-old contestant Ashu Jain, whose remarkable life journey steals the spotlight.

February 24, 2026 / 15:21 IST
Akshay Kumar reacts to Ashu Jain’s Master’s at 44, PhD at 53, says, "she reminds me of Twinkle”
Snapshot AI
  • 58-year-old Ashu Jain inspires with fitness and academic journey
  • Ashu, PhD at 53, started gym at 54, now a fitness influencer
  • Ashu advances to Wheel of Fortune final round with sharp gameplay

The upcoming episode of Wheel of Fortune promises more than just puzzles and prizes. Host Akshay Kumar found himself deeply inspired by 58-year-old contestant Ashu Jain, whose life story became the real highlight of the evening.

Ashu, now a well-recognised fitness influencer, shared that she first stepped into a gym at the age of 54. What began as light banter quickly turned into an eye-opening conversation about reinvention and resilience. “Daal mein tadka lagate lagate life boring ho rahi thi. Socha life mein thoda tadka lagaya jaye,” she said with a smile, explaining how routine domestic life pushed her to add some spark to her days.

Until then, Ashu said, her life revolved around managing her home and family. But the decision to join a gym changed everything. Today, she is a regular at Zumba classes and runs marathons with confidence. “I used to run 10 km; now I comfortably run 15 km. Meri aukaat ho gayi hai,” she added proudly. The studio audience was left stunned when she revealed that she is 58 years old and a grandmother.

Her achievements are not limited to fitness. Ashu also spoke about her academic journey, which is equally remarkable. She completed her Master of Technology at 44, began her PhD at 47, and earned the doctorate at 53. Her timeline challenged every stereotype around age and ambition.

Also Read: BLACKPINK’s ‘GO’ teaser features Hindi ‘Chalo’, Indian fans call it a proud moment

Clearly impressed, Akshay jokingly asked if NASA was next on her list. He went on to share that Ashu’s story reminded him of his wife, Twinkle Khanna, who completed her Master’s degree at 50 and is now planning to pursue a PhD.

On the game floor, Ashu matched her inspiring story with sharp gameplay. Confident and composed, she spun the Wheel and solved puzzles with impressive ease, earning herself a place in the final round.

Viewers will have to tune in to see what prizes she ultimately takes home. Catch all the action on Wheel of Fortune, airing Monday to Friday at 9 PM on Sony Television and streaming on SonyLIV.

Vaishnavi Gavankar is a senior entertainment journalist with over 8 years of experience covering Bollywood, Television, OTT platforms, and regional cinema.
first published: Feb 24, 2026 03:21 pm

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347