Still shaken and shocked from his friend Sushant Singh Rajput’s sudden death on June 14 last year, actor Karanveer Mehra says that talking about Sushant in the past is heartbreaking. Karanveer was not just Sushant’s co-star in one of his most popular TV shows, Pavitra Rishta, but they also spent a lot of time together as friends. “He was so enthusiastic about his career, his dreams, passion, his craft and about life itself. I was one of his fans. Since I was younger, he always treated me like his younger brother. He was the one guiding me at every step when I was at crossroads in my career and relationships. Each evening spent with him was special. He would discuss and tell me so many things on topics ranging from space to music, sports, fitness, films,” says Karanveer, as he reminisces about the time that he spent with the late actor.

He adds that Sushant’s work will always be a testimony to the fact that he was a brilliant actor. “Whoever has worked with Sushant would agree that he was an actor par excellence. I don’t have to say much on this as his work speaks volumes about the kind of actor he was. And if I were to describe him as a human being, I think I would fall short of words. He was charismatic, intelligent, suave, loving and caring. He had a big heart,” Karanveer tells us.

Among the many things that he learnt from Sushant, Karanveer says the most important lesson was ‘never give up.’ He says, “He lived his life by a code, which was ‘plan your work and work your plan’. He always used to say ‘don’t tell yourself how big the problem is, tell the problem how big you are’. I learnt so much from him and he was the one who taught me that one should never give up... I curse myself for not being able to help him.”

As it will soon be a year since Sushant passed away, Karanveer says, “I look up and pray for his happiness, and thank him for the good he has done for many of us. I wish there was a way to tell him that ‘I miss you buddy.’”

Ankita Lokhande approached Ekta Kapoor with the idea and the producer immediately agreed to Part Two
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 18, 2020)

With nearly 1500 episodes, Ekta Kapoor’s Pavitra Rishta was amongst the most popular soaps back in 2009. It made Sushant Singh Rajput a household name and introduced Ankita Lokhande to show business.

The late actor played Manav, a car mechanic, who falls in love with Ankita’s Archana. But life isn’t a bed of roses for the made-for-each-other couple as both their mothers stir up misunderstandings between the two. The Zee TV romantic drama made Sushant and Ankita the heartthrobs of the nation and even after he quit the show two years later to make a career in Bollywood, they continued to be in a relationship for six years.

He asked her to marry him on the dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, in 2011 and three years later, whisked her off to Dubai so they could bring in the New Year together. In 2016, they moved into their dream apartment in preparation for the big fat Indian wedding with the groom leading the baraat on an elephant. But before that could happen, they called it quits. Meanwhile, Hiten Tejwani replaced him in Pavitra Rishta and played Manav till the show went off the air in 2014. The previous year, Sushant had made a sparkling debut in Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che! and cemented his place in the industry with films like PK, M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, Kedarnath and Chhichhore, before he died by suicide on June 14.

Now, Mirror has learnt that in Sushant’s loving memory, his mentor and former girlfriend are in talks to bring Pavitra Rishta back on TV. “The show was close to Sushant’s heart as it gave him the platform to scale new heights and both Ekta and Ankita feel that a new season will be the best tribute to the deceased actor,” revealed a source close to the development.

The casting will begin once the logistics are in place. “Ekta has spearheaded several sequels on TV, including Hum Paanch, Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Naagin. It was Ankita who approached Ekta with the idea and since Pavitra Rishta is a special show for her too, she immediately agreed. She will sit with her team of writers and explore how to take the daily soap forward,” the source informed, adding that it will only kick off once everyone is satisfied with the script and character sketches.

Ankita, who made her Bollywood debut last year with the Kangana Ranaut-fronted Manikarnika and followed it up with Baaghi 3, had visited Sushant’s home and spent time with his family after his demise. We reached out to both Ekta and her, but they chose not to respond. However, on July 14, Ekta had posted a collage of pictures with Sushant with the caption, “Rest in Peace Sushi!!!! WE will smile and make a wish when we see a shooting star and know it’s u!!!! Love u forever!!” On the same day, Ankita posted a picture of a lit diya, remembering the actor whom she described as a ‘Child of God’.

As told to Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 15, 2020)

I am stunned… shocked. It’s hard to believe that Sushant Singh Rajput could take such an extreme step given that he was such a lively and positive person, a hardworking actor who was an example to those who were younger. Even when we had to work 15-20 hours, he never complained. Both Ankita Lokhande and he were very committed and enthusiastic about their work and their chemistry added to the magic of Pavitra Rishta.

Sushant was hungry to learn and would often talk about the things he wanted to do. He was a risk-taker and quit the soap when the show was on the top of the charts and he was the No. 1 actor on TV. When I wondered why he would do such a thing, he told me he wanted to learn the craft and become a director someday.

We didn’t speak regularly after Kai Po Che!, but whenever I texted him, he always replied. He never forgot old friends.

He was an educated guy and had a sound thought process. But he was an emotional too. Money, position, power didn’t matter to him. Sushant’s death has made me realise there’s so much more than success and fame. We all talk about physical immunity, but mental health is important too. I wish he could have told someone what he was going through, then, maybe he would have still been here with us.

Ankita Lokhande, fresh from appreciation for her role as Jhalkaribai, talks of refinding herself after love went sour
As told to Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; February 3, 2019)

I always wanted to become a heroine. I was not good at studies and neither was I interested. I just wanted to become a heroine. I wrote my dream down in a diary, "I hope mom and dad let me go to Mumbai". They thought it was a child's dream. But when Zee Cinestars Ki Khoj happened in 2004, they let me come to Mumbai from Indore. My mother said it was because she never wanted me to regret the fact that I didn't take a chance.

Once I arrived here, I realised what a beast it was [the city]. I don't think I have changed in all these years; I am the same me. I am the same to my family, my childhood friends, and I feel good about it. The best thing about me is that I am from a middle-class family. I know where I am coming from and my values. One needs to remember that. Mumbai changes you, if you don't know where you are coming from. I have seen people change.

Then Pavitra Rishta came along in 2009, and I cast myself as my character, Archana, for the six years it ran. I created her. When I was growing up, my grandfather used to say, "She has grown up, put a black tikka on her head". I thought of him when I did the show, and created Archana along those lines. She was simple, she wasn't weak. I am like that.

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2011 made me recognisable to my fans as Ankita, and not just Archana. For two and a half years after that, I didn't do any work. I don't know what gave me the confidence to say no to other shows. I would ask myself, "How do you have the guts?" But I knew I was done doing the daily show drill as even the one show I did was enough. I wanted to be in a movie now. I was not scared about being typecast, but I believed in my talent.

In Bollywood, the key is to be nice and real to people. Reality comes across the same way fakeness does. I am a private person. I can share my happiness, but I can't share my sadness. Often, I find that I can't express my feelings. I can go help people, but when I need help, I can't, and don't ask for it. I only turn to my family. I don't even have friends. For me, friendship is a very different concept - it's about having a 3 am confidant, and I don't have any friends like that.

I ignore things written to me on social media and negative articles, and only focus on my movies. You need to not let the external affect you, if you want to live a happy life. In 2016 [after her split with boyfriend of six years, and sudden movie star Sushant Singh Rajput], I decided I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. I decided that whatever the circumstances, I should be positive. The world is tough and so is the industry. I have now become immune to both, the good and bad. I have worked very hard on myself. I meditate every day. I have started believing in Jesus Christ, and I talk to him, and ask him to solve my problems, and he does!

As far as love is concerned, it's a beautiful thing. And I would like to say that I am always in love. I love my family, and, of course, my job, as it's my dream come true. I have been graceful about my love life by not talking about it explicitly, and I want to continue doing that. It's, after all, my personal life. But I will say that I am the kind of person who lives in the now. I don't live in the past. My life currently is in a very happy space, and I am doing what I wanted to, which is movies. So, I have no complaints.

As far as being friends with an ex goes, I have a few friends in my life, and I am happy and content with that circle. If you ask me what happens after you share your dreams with someone and they don't exist in your life anymore, I'd say: My dreams have been the same since Standard III. I wanted to be an actor then, and I am an actor now. My dreams have always been mine alone.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; January 22, 2019)

She won hearts as Archana — the girlnext-door-turned-ideal-bahu — on the TV show, Pavitra Rishta, for almost five years. Now, Ankita Lokhande is all set to make her foray into Bollywood as a warrior, wielding her sword against the British, in the upcoming historical drama, Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi. In a candid chat with BT, she talks about the importance of playing a strong character over the central role, her equation with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and working in a film with an ex-boyfriend. Excerpts...

You were missing in action for about five year on the small screen, and then we suddenly see you make a comeback, this time on the big screen with an epic drama. Did the thought of making your debut with a solo-heroine project never cross your mind?
No, that thought never crossed my mind. Initially, for a while, I thought of Manikarnika as a Kangana (Ranaut) film. But after the narration, I was fascinated by the character of Jhalkaribai. The name (Jhalkaribai) itself was mesmerising, and I could relate to her, as I am strong and loyal like her. After that, I looked at this film as an opportunity to perform. I love to take risks and I am taking one — I decided to play a strong character and not the lead.

There were no apprehensions and after working with Kangana, sab clear ho gaya. I’ve never planned anything in my life. I either do what I like or I don’t do it at all. Besides, it doesn’t matter whether I am the first, second or the third lead. What matters is the character I am playing. Nowadays, even the audience wants to see characters and strong performances. The lead is someone who takes a film ahead, but it’s the characters who hold a film together. It’s always team work. Even during Pavitra Rishta, I didn’t consider myself the lead. It wasn’t just Archana’s show. Every character was well defined. Similarly, in Manikarnika, everyone is playing a crucial role, whether their screen time is five minutes or 15 minutes. I hope that the audience showers love and appreciation on me, the way they did during Pavitra Rishta.

Did you ever worry that your character might be lost amidst so many faces in the film?
Those who have followed my TV show might have observed that I am not the kind of face that gets lost in the crowd. I own the character I play. I live and breathe it and that is how I perform. I want people to see the film and tell me if I look lost.

Did the fact that you portrayed Archana for five years — you even played a mother on the show — influence the kind of roles that came your way? Did the popularity of your character ever feel like a baggage?
I played whatever role I got with total conviction, without giving it a second thought or letting the fear of getting typecast get to me. That’s how I am. I don’t mind being identified as Archana at all. In fact, I am proud of it. I am sure that after watching Manikarnika, people will address me as Jhalkaribai. Should I rue that, too? Would I mind being remembered as Archana just because it was a character on TV? Not at all. I feel proud to be a TV girl and I acknowledge what it has given me.

You are going to be back on screen after a gap of five years. During this long break, was there ever a point when you felt frustrated, especially when you were trying to get a break in Bollywood?
I took a short break after Pavitra Rishta ended, because I was tired of working every day. However, after a year, I felt the urge to get back to work. Even during the break, I was getting a lot of offers from TV, but I realised that I was done with television serials and wanted to challenge myself creatively. I was looking at doing films and was getting good offers as well. However, I wasn’t sure if I was prepared to take the plunge, because like I said, the character is paramount for me. I aspire to stand out in a film, rather than doing what a typical heroine does. Woh bhi maayne rakhta hai, but I wanted to portray a strong character to mark my debut with.

There were reports that you apparently declined Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s offer in 2016 because you felt that you were not ready to make your Bollywood debut...
I am extremely fond of Sanjay sir. I have always looked up to him and I love the cinema he makes. It is a dream come true when he offers you a role, but I wasn’t in a happy space at that time. And, trust me, it will always be my loss. Sometimes, we make mistakes, but it is okay, as it’s just the beginning. I don’t have a Godfather in the industry, who could guide me. Agar mujhe koi guidance milta toh main sahi tarah se woh cheez kar paati. However, I don’t regret anything. Sanjay sir and I haven’t discussed any movie after that. But now, if he wants me to be a part of his film, you know what my answer would be — A yes!

You mentioned about not being in a happy space. What has been your biggest learning from that phase and most importantly, what kept you afloat?
I am a very in-the-moment kind of person. For me, now matters a lot. Everyone has high and low phases, which are never constant. Everything happens for a reason and whatever happens in our life makes us stronger. Now, I am more confident and totally focused on my work. You have to fail or fall to know the importance of success. And I have just started this journey. My family and friends keep me grounded and strong. They are my reason for my happiness everyday.

You said that you give your everything to whatever you set your heart on — be it a role or relationship. However, have you become a bit wary and maybe, more careful, when it comes to matters of the heart after that phase (break-up with Sushant Singh Rajput)?
Poor heart! It just pumps blood and keeps the human body going, but it gets questioned a lot (laughs!). At the moment, I have unabashedly given my heart to my work. And I am not scared to do it.

Recently, Sushant Singh Rajput appreciated your look in the film on social media...
Many people have tweeted good things about me. That’s what he also did. There is nothing much in it to talk about. He has just appreciated my look and I am thankful that he did that. I also like it when he does something good.

You mentioned in a previous interview that you don’t mind being friends with your ex. What if you are offered a film opposite Sushant?
I don’t mind being friends with anyone. I will do any film that defines my character well, has a brilliant director and gives me the scope to make an impact.

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 26, 2018)

The quiet and demure Archana of Pavitra Rishta aka Ankita Lokhande is fun, bubbly and full of life when you meet her in person. For five years, the actress ruled the television screen with her show and then decided to give it up for a much desired break in 2014. Her relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput was also in the news for many years and so was their break-up. In a candid chat, Ankita tells us that she is in love once again… this time not with a guy, but with herself. Excerpts:

For long time, you consciously kept yourself out of the public eye after your exit from Pavitra Rishta. You’re back now, and looking forward to make a mark in Bollywood...
I did Pavitra Rishta for six years. After the show ended, I wanted to take a break and settle down and enjoy life. But soon, I realised that things don’t go as per plans and I felt that once you put the make-up on, it never really goes off your face. You want to work and grow in life. I felt that I needed to get back to working like I did before and I am back in the game now. Also, I got really good offers on television, but I was not focused at that time. But now, I feel I want to give it my best. It’s time to work hard again. That’s why when I was offered the film Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi, I could not say no to it.

How was the experience of working with Kangana Ranaut?
She was like the real Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi for us. She comforted us all. There is a lot to learn from her.

Do you feel that a lot has changed on television, as compared to the time when you played a bahu on the small screen?
I don’t really know, but honestly, I feel that from the time we had Smriti Irani portraying the bahu in Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to Pavitra Rishta to now, TV continues to portray the bahu in the same way. Nothing has changed in the last two decades, because the audience enjoys such saas-bahu dramas. Even today, people relate to me as Archana (her character in Pavitra Rishta). Largely, the TV audience wants to watch kitchen politics and therefore, the makers are creating the same kind of shows. Having said that, I am what I am today because of Pavitra Rishta, but now, I want to explore more. I want to see a different side of me — on the big screen. It has been a childhood dream to act in films.

While many TV actors are doing films now, the perception that ‘TV actors take longer to make it big in films’ still persists. Your take?
Today’s films are more about content, actors and good scripts. People who are not from the industry are doing good for themselves, so that notion is wrong.

When you wanted to quit Pavitra Rishta, there were rumours that all was not well between producer Ekta Kapoor and you. Is that true?
Not at all. Ekta has really supported me and I am grateful to her. People have this perception about me that I have issues with them, but when they meet me, they get to know the real me — a person who doesn’t have any major issues in life. I wanted to quit Pavitra Rishta for personal reasons, but when Ekta told me that she could not see anyone else as Archana, I felt it was my duty to return. She gave me a double role, too.

Recently, you were linked with your good friend Kushal Tandon, when you posted a picture with him on social media. There are also rumours of you dating a businessman...
Kushal is a good friend. When a girl is single, everyone wants to find out who she is dating. I don’t feel the need to date anyone right now. I have no time to focus on what people are writing about my love life or with whom they are linking me. Also, I don’t want to waste time clarifying anything. I only want to focus on my work.

You never spoke about Sushant Singh Rajput after the break-up...
I have decided not to talk about it even now.

Many actresses are friends with their exes. Do, you, too feel that you can be friends with Sushant?
I am okay being friends with an ex. You don’t become enemies. Everybody has their own journey and they leave when the time is over. Maybe, they are only meant to be with you for that particular time.

Relationships aren’t easy in this day and age. Many feel that our parents’ generation was able to sustain relationships well, vis-à-vis now. Do you agree?
Unlike earlier, today, people are suffering from many insecurities. Also, people have many options. Yeh nahi to woh mil jayega… lifestyles have also become different in Metros. If you consider a small city like Indore, break-ups are not so common there. I remember my parents, like any normal couple, had their share of fights, but getting separated was never an option. Today, marriages as old as 20 years are falling apart. I feel that couples don’t give importance to marriage, as much as they do to love. Today, the thought process is, ‘Oh! we are in love, let’s live-in together and see how it goes’, because we are giving importance to the feeling of love. When you start living in with a person, over a period of time, you could start losing interest. That’s when you could lose out on important things and marriage is one of those big things. As far as I am concerned, the concept of love hasn’t changed. I still feel the same way when I am in love.

Are you a giving and compromising person when it comes to love?
I am very giving and I love in such a way that I completely change myself and give full attention to the person. But now, I feel it is important to love yourself before you love anyone else. If you are not happy from within, you won’t be able to keep the other person happy. Also, when I am in love, I know that I can make the other person happy, but I am not sure if the other person is fully committed to that. Right now, I am not focusing on what kind of a person I want to get married to because I feel loving myself is more important. I don’t mind getting married to a guy of my parents’ choice. Also, after I started working on Manikarnika, I realised that I love the camera and acting. In the last few years, I meditated a lot, focused on my fitness and have become calmer and more mature as a person. I want to settle down as a happy housewife, but I also feel that the real happiness lies in my work. I enjoy acting.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; March 19, 2018)

For five years, she ruled the small screen as Archana in Zee TV’s highly-popular drama Pavitra Rishta. After the daily soap ended, Ankita Lokhande decided to take it easy. For almost two-and-half years, the actress turned down every film and television offer that came her way and wanted to settle down with her then-boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput, till the duo had a public break-up. Now, she has bagged her debut Hindi film, the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Manikarnika, which is a biopic on Rani Laxmibai. Ankita plays the main supporting female lead — Jhalkaribai. Here, the young actress talks about what made her face the cameras again, and how she plans to steer her career.

Two years ago, you said that you didn’t want to work. What changed?
Actually, I wasn’t lazy but I was too tired of working at the time. I thought ki thoda break lete hain and I’ll see what I wanted to do. Now, I’m doing a film and I’m really happy. I didn’t want to stay away from work. I did Pavitra Rishta for five years and I was shooting every day. So I was just exhausted and took a break. But, I realised I was done with my vacation and needed to get back. And I’m enjoying it now.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali had offered you a film, which you turned down. Do you regret it?
Of course, I do regret it. Meri bewakoofi thi that I couldn’t do the film. I did not reject him or the movie. I genuinely wanted to do it but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get back to work at that point of time. You need to be responsible towards your work. I do feel I missed out on a great opportunity. He is Sanjay Leela Bhansali, after all! I hope he forgives me (laughs).

He offered you another film after that...
Yes, but again I messed up (laughs)! This might be my last chance to work with him if he offers me a film again...

Why did you choose Manikarnika as your Bollywood debut?
It’s a woman-oriented film and that appealed to me. Plus, we have all read about Rani Laxmibai as part of Indian History. But when I was asked to play Jhalkaribai, I didn’t really know who she was. When producer Kamal (Jain) sir and director Krish sir narrated the script to me, I found out that she was Rani Laxmibai’s right- hand woman and almost her replica who would disguise as the Queen in front of the British. So, I realised I had an opportunity to portray an unspoken hero, a warrior, and an integral part of Indian History. I’m sure I will play the typical Hindi film heroine and have my song and dance routines in future. But something like Manikarnika would never come back to me. And to debut with something like this, I’d say I’m lucky.

People hardly know about Jhalkaribai. Does it become more challenging since there was nothing to refer to?
There was no reference material at all. But the way the character was narrated, I made a sketch in my head; my version of how she must have been — brave, confident and sabki band bajaane wali (laughs). She is exactly how I am in real life. So, maybe, I played this character with my own thought process.

So, will you only play a strong, independent woman on screen or would you be comfortable playing a vulnerable character?
In Pavitra Rishta, I played Archana who wasn’t me at all — this quiet, sensible, compromising or understanding person. It can’t be that I will only take a role if I can relate to it. Then, you can’t be an actor. We are supposed to play what we are not. So, I’d rather play something I’m not. For Manikarnika, I’ve learnt horse riding and sword fighting, so I have gone out of my comfort zone.

You were offered the protagonist’s role in SLB’s films but here you are a supporting lead. Wasn’t that a risk?
I don’t think about things like that. Sridevi started off with a supporting character in Julie. After that, she became a heroine and then a superstar. So the motivation is always there. You do ask yourself if you’re going wrong somewhere but you inspire yourself. Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the shortest roles initially, but look at him now. So, instead of seeing the negative side, I’d like to look at things positively. Ab toh kar li film. Now, it’s up to people and how I have fared in the film.

What was your equation with Kangana like?
It was amazing. Kangana is a nice human being — lovable and caring. We bonded off the sets, too. She is very professional and completely into her character all the time. I feel she is what she is. I could connect with her because I’m the same, too. Plus, she works hard and is good to others on the sets.

Do you think male stars have still not warmed up to supporting women-oriented projects?
Men need to change their mentality. Talent has nothing to do with gender. If you’re making a good film, you should always support that. Shah Rukh (Khan) and Aamir (Khan) have done it, so it’s a progressive thing for sure. There’s no shame in working in a space where you are secondary to a woman. That’s again a mindset that men usually have. But it’s changing now. People are looking for great scripts and are enjoying characters more than being bothered about whether it’s the hero or heroine.

So, are you averse to doing masala movies now?
I want to do masala movies. I love the Bollywood films that we are known for. I love the whole song and dance act. Mujhe sari pehenke baarish mein naachna hai — something like Tip Tip Barsa Paani (laughs).

What about your next film? You have signed Malang opposite Sanjay Dutt...
You will get to know soon! I don’t know about Malang. Let the producers talk about it.

Will you be conscious about picking films?
I don’t know. I don’t think about such serious things. If there’s a great script and a team where I can happily work and feel the positivity, I would do it. I go by my intuition. If I read a script and it connects with me, I will do it or then turn it down. I don’t dissect scripts that way.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2017)

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; October 2, 2014)