Most journalists have been, at some point in their career, victims of star tantrums, high-handed attitude and arrogance. It's one of the hazards of the profession and so one has little choice but to deal with it. And the star, on his or her part, mostly attributes this hostile behaviour to erratic shooting schedules, sudden illness and the likes. When I tried to get in touch with Pavitra Rishta's Anita Lokhande, I had a similar experience. To interview and shoot this pretty actress, one needs ample amount of time, patience and conviction. To get a little bit of her precious time, I just had to use all my persuasive skills at one go. But once I got through Ankita (and it was almost an impossible task), I managed to get the politically correct actress to spills the beans on her off-screen life.
To nobody's surprise, Ankita isn't quite like her demure screen character Archana in reality. She happens to come from the small town of Indore. She wanted to be an airhostess and so was going to enroll herself in a training institute, but suddenly got lucky as she got the chance to participate in Zee Cinestars Ki Khoj. Like Ankita says, "Right from childhood, it was my passion to be an actress. I was forced into doing the airhostess course, because in a middle-class family, a girl from our background going to Mumbai, struggling there and becoming an actress was just impossible. By chance, I won the contest in Indore and got the opportunity to come to Mumbai and act." Once here, she became a print model for catalogues and even walked the ramp for designer Vikram Phadnis.
Lady Luck has always favoured Ankita, who was chosen for Pavitra Rishta from amongst a 100 odd girls. "I couldn't believe it. I had gone very normally, wearing a salwar kameez and without make-up. I had no idea how to go for an audition. It was a surprise when I was chosen. I didn't really know that I would actually become a television actress. Also, my character in the show is completely opposite to what I am in real life. So often, my mother used to get worried and ask me, 'Will you be able to play the role?' and I would say that I had confidence and I could. I am bindaas and an extrovert, unlike Archana, and I say whatever comes to my mind. So doing Pavitra Rishta is a completely different experience for me." She has worked a lot on her character and now doesn't face much difficulty.
Since her show is a Balaji production, I ask how it is working with one of the most popular and controversial production houses. "I feel really proud. To work with Balaji is every actor's dream. Everyone is so nice. Ekta (Kapoor) ma'am is amazing. I know that everyone gets scared of her. She manages such a huge production empire, so obviously she will be strict. But she is so nice and casual sometimes that you won't even think she is the Ekta Kapoor. I remember the day when I had to meet her for a narration for the first time. I was petrified of how I should talk to her. But she made it so easy for me that I spoke to her very openly. She is so sweet. I never thought that she would treat me so well." What about the rumours of Ekta being a ruthless taskmaster? Her anger is infamous. "Obviously, if we spoil her show by not doing our part of the work well, she will get angry. But if you do well, she will treat you good," Ankita says loyally.
Working 30 days a month for Pavitra Rishta, Ankita claims to barely have time for herself. But she still manages to stay in the news for her alleged relationship with her good-looking co-star on the show, Sushant Singh Rajput. It is typical for actresses to deny their relationship with their co-stars, for reasons best known to them. Ankita is no different and so the instant I take Sushant's name, her tone undergoes a sudden change. Even prior to this, both Ankita and Sushant have downright denied their affair. And even now when I speak to her, she is ridiculously tightlipped about it. Even though their co-stars and unit members have vouched for their off-screen relationship, Ankita vehemently says, "Sushant is a good person. But there is nothing like this between us." Not satisfied with her answer, I prod her more and all I get is, "He is a very good friend of mine. If something happens between us, I will let you know."
By now, I know I am not going to get more than that on their relationship, so I tell her what our sources say. Apparently, the couple is very much together and even both their families are aware about this. They have no problem whatsoever and are happy for them. Recently, when Ankita's mother came down from Indore to spend time with her, she visited her sets. Her mother looked extremely comfortable in Sushant's company. She got home-cooked food for both of them and was even spotted feeding Sushant with her hands.
When I tell her this, Ankita appears shocked. "Who told you this?" she questions me back, but regains her posture soon and says, "Yes, they get along well. But it's not like my mother looks up to him as a son-in-law! Sushant behaves well with everyone. I will let you know if something happens in the future."
There was even a buzz about their 'break-up' recently. From what we know, it was fake news, just to throw everyone off track. If that's not strange, what's even weirder is that Sushant claims that Ankita looks exactly like his girlfriend Amrita, who happens to be an aspiring model and so everyone confuses her to be his girlfriend. Moreover, a while back Ankita had admitted that she looks similar to his girlfriend and has even met her. But today when I ask her the same, she retraces her words. "What? Sushant has a girlfriend? I don't have any idea about his girlfriend." Well, so much for being good friends!
She claims to be single as she doesn't have time for boyfriends. Or even marriage for that matter. "I don't have a boyfriend, so how can I get married? I am concentrating on my work. I haven't found my Mr. Right. Anyway, I don't want a relationship where I am just expected to give. It should be a normal and casual relation." She believes now is the time to make a career.
While her personal life is as hazy as a cloudy sky, Ankita is clear in what she wants to do professionally. Television keeps her busy and happy. "I don't want to approach filmmakers myself for films. If I get an offer for Bollywood, I'll think about it. I believe whatever is offered to you is better in the film industry. But I surely won't run after films."
Before signing off, she does give me a few wise words. "I am a kind of person who is very satisfied. I never run after anything. If it is meant to be in my destiny, it will anyhow come my way. I am happy with whatever I am doing." And just before I can take my leave, Ankita surprises me with a hint, "In the future, if I have to tell you something, I will tell it all. Please wait for the announcement," she says with a smile. I wonder what that possibly means.
*By Purvaja Sawant
