On Saturday, actor Ankita Lokhande celebrated 15 years in the entertainment industry by penning a heartfelt note, crediting her success to her debut show Pavitra Rishta and the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She took to Instagram to express her gratitude and share memories of her journey.
Completing 15 years in the industry, Ankita Lokhande reflected on her career beginnings and the impact of her role in Pavitra Rishta. She wrote, “15 years ago, I started my journey as Archana in Pavitra Rishta. Little did I know that even after years, I will continue to get so much love for my role, which has even become my identity. I sometimes feel I was destined to be Archana. I had her in me, and I continue to have her in me. She has taught me a lot about life.”
She thanked Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms for giving her the role that defined her career, adding, “I am forever indebted to @ektarkapoor @ek_ek_ekoo ma’am and @balajitelefilmslimited for giving me a role of a lifetime right in the beginning of my career. Main rahoon ya na rahoon, the love I have received, Archana and Pavitra Rishta has received from each one of you will keep me alive forever in your hearts, and I don’t think there’s anything more precious than that.”
Ankita also paid tribute to her former co-star and boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput, who passed away in 2020. She wrote, “But my journey wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t have Sushant’s support. I didn’t even know how to act when I started Pavitra Rishta. He taught me, and I will always be thankful for him. The show started a new kind of storytelling. Hindi television par Marathi culture ko dikhaya. Isse pehle kabhi koi aisa show aaya nahi tha. People could resonate with the show because of the innocence the show and the people involved in it had.”
Ankita’s portrayal of Archana in Pavitra Rishta alongside Sushant’s Manav made the show one of the top-rated Hindi television programs from June 2009 to October 2014. The show marked a significant milestone in both actors’ careers, and their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life relationship that lasted six years.
After her television debut, Ankita participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 and Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur. She appeared in two episodes of Ek Thhi Naayka opposite Sachin Shroff. Ankita reprised her role as Archana in the web series Pavitra Rishta: It’s Never Too Late alongside Shaheer Sheikh from 2021 to 2022. In February 2022, she won Smart Jodi with her husband, Vicky Jain. Most recently, she participated in Bigg Boss 17, finishing as the third runner-up.
Sources By Agencies
