Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 23, 2019)

Ankita Lokhande doesn’t hesitate in admitting that she had become complacent and lazy at one point when she refused two big film offers for the sake of her personal life. But, today, she is back with renewed vigour. “I have to do it for my family and for myself. I have to give back everything to them that somewhere got lost,” says the actress as she steps on to the silver screen with Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, which hits the screens on Friday. In a chat, she speaks about her role in the film, her bonding with actor-director Kangana Ranaut and her future plans. Excerpts...

You have played a strong female character on television. Was it a conscious move to begin with a powerful role in films, too?
I wouldn’t call it a conscious move. But playing such a powerful lady on screen gives me an opportunity to perform. Nobody knew about Jhalkaribai, so I thought that it was my responsibility to tell people to watch the film to know more about this character who fought valiantly in Rani Lakshmibai’s army. When I read the script, there was a certain sense of patriotism that it invoked. I decided to do it immediately. This was the right time and role for me. My character in the television serial Pavitra Rishta was that of a quiet girl, but I made it powerful in my own way. I always add my bit to the roles I essay. In Manikarnika, you will see a lot of my personality merging with that of Jhalkaribai. It’s a mixture and I’m also a fighter, a warrior. I’m battling a few things.

You have always played the lead on TV, but here you aren’t one...
There were many people who asked me why I agreed to do this role. Many advised me against doing it. They thought it would be Kangana’s film. But it is about the character and what you get to do in the film that makes all the difference. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a 15 or 20-minute role. It needs to be prominent and people should remember me when they come out of the theatre.

Was the shoot physically demanding?
The choreography of our stunts was difficult. It included horse riding or sword fighting. Yes, I did injure myself but I have to pat myself on the back for pulling off the stunts. For me, it was important to step out of my comfort zone and do something like this, which gives you a different high. Not just for Manikarnika, but for myself.

How different was Kangana the co-star from Kangana the director?
When she was performing, she was an actor and she put in her 100 per cent. Kangana is extremely sincere with her work. So, I found her the same as an actor and as a director. She was always very focussed and disciplined. Kangana works really hard to get everything right and I, too, am a lot like her. When I perform, I don’t look at other things. I’m happy her directorial debut is my first Hindi film, as well. Even when we were shooting the song that she directed (Dankila), she called Neeta (Lulla) ma’am and said, ‘I really want Ankita to stand out in this one’. She would often teach me how to do certain things. She’s a great team player and is always game for suggestions.

What’s next?
I want to do every kind of role. I long to do a proper dhinchak commercial film like Simmba. I want to play Ranveer Singh’s part. I want to be a tapori —  a film where I can be myself. I hope such offers come my way. I’m in talks for a few films and they will be announced soon.