Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 6, 2017)

Amid speculation about Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon’s rumoured relationship hitting a rough patch, we hear the actor’s ex, television actress Ankita Lokhande, has found new love. The small screen world is abuzz with chatter about the Pavitra Rishta star’s closeness to city businessman, Vikas Jain, better known as Vicky. Hailing from Raipur, he is friends with several TV folk since he is the co-owner of the Mumbai team in sports reality entertainment show, Box Cricket League.

Says a source, “They have known each other for the past few years. They met through common friends from the telly world. But recently, the two have got close. That they are more than just friends was evident from their body language at a Holi bash last month. Vikas and Ankita often hang out together with common friends.”

Adds the source, “Vikas has also been spotted visiting Ankita at her Malad home. Considering that Ankita went through heartbreak just last year, she has been taking things slowly.”

Incidentally, in 2012, there were rumours about Vikas dating actress Tia Bajpai, who was seen in films like Haunted 3D (2011) and 1920: The Evil Returns (2012), being a twosome. Ankita and Sushant, who fell in love on the set of Pavitra Rishta in 2009, parted ways early last year after a six-year relationship. In 2012, Sushant had revealed plans of a December 2012 wedding, joking that he has already “married Ankita thrice” on the show. Post their split, the actress was linked to Pavitra Rishta co-star, Karan Mehra, but she denied the rumours, calling him a close buddy.

Despite several calls and messages, Ankita and Vikas remained unavailable for comment.