Ankita Lokhande on first day, Shaheer as co-star, what would Sushant say on her doing Pavitra Rishta 2

Ankita Lokhande has returned as Archana after 12 long years and as the show gets a fresh male lead, it has only added to the buzz around it. However, Ankita sure does remember her days from the show as fresh as ever and believes that she will forever be attached to the show and everything associated with it.

At the virtual press conference today, Ankita spoke about the first day back on sets, Shaheer as a co-star, what would Sushant Singh Rajput say about the show returning and more.

How was it like to return as Archana after a decade?

Being Archana after 12 years was very overwhelming, there was nervousness and excitement, and everything was together. I have been Archana for 5 and a half years, but there has been Archana within me and it has stayed. I think I could never detach myself from Archana and when it was my first day back on set, it was very emotional, and I am very glad that everyone was so welcoming, I did not feel that I was shooting on a new set with new people.

How is Shaheer as a co-star?

He is a really great co-star, and he is a great human being, which is why I connected to him. From the very beginning, I always knew that Shaheer should only be Manav because so many people were in talks, but I saw it in his eyes. I have seen Shaheer's work, but he has this innocence that feels very good and for Manav, simplicity was the most important thing. Whoever would step in for Manav, should not look like a star, but there was a bit of Manav in Shaheer already.

Something that has stayed with you from the old show and an instance from the shoot?

When the title track plays, I tend to go back to the time when Sushant and I used to shoot. There was this time when emotions were supposed to be added to a scene and Nandita ma'am played the title, and it was very emotional. What I did back in 2009, is so special to me, that I connect to it with everything I do now.

What do you think Sushant would say about you doing the show?

He has always promoted good things and in my life, he has especially done that, because I know he would have been very happy. I remember on my last day, I told him that he should come, and he came to the last day of the shoot, and if he was here, he would have loved it and appreciated it.

ALSO READ: Pavitra Rishta 2.0 trailer: Shaheer and Pavitra as Manav and Archana take you down the memory lane