‘NEVER REALISED I’VE BECOME A CELEBRITY’
Says Ankita Lokhande, adds she is ‘very bad’ at choosing her films
She might have done just one film so far, but it won’t be wrong to say that Ankita Lokhande is having a dream run in her career. She won hearts with her acting debut, the TV show Pavitra Rishta, and when she forayed into films, she landed a rather meatier role — she played Jhalkaribai in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019). She’ll next be seen in action film, Baaghi 3.
With such a good run, it’s easy for one to get carried away and consumed by oneself. However, Ankita makes it clear that she doesn’t let the success go to her head. “Nothing has changed. It’s just that logon ka pyaar badh jaata hai. I belong to a small city (Indore), and after coming to Mumbai, aap itni badi cheez kar lete ho apne liye… I never realised that I have become a celebrity. When I go out and walk on the street, I feel the same. I am human like anyone else. I am grateful to God that I achieved so many things for me and my family,” she says.
On how is she going about choosing her films, the 35year-old quips, “I am very bad at it, literally. When I read the script, I just see what’s there on the next page. If it’s interesting, I go for it. It’s a difficult task to do. The level you are at, you have to put in concentration to choose films. Today, whatever is working is content, you’ve to be careful to choose a film; I am trying to do that. Har cheez hamare haath mein nahi hoti. I am looking forward to characters where I can perform as an actor.”
Given that Ankita is in a good and happy space professionally, we ask whether things are going to progress in her personal sphere anytime soon. Is marriage on the cards? Ankita laughs, “I am not planning marriage as of now, but let’s see. Shaadi toh karni hi hoti hai sabko, main bhi karungi, it’s a big and important part of your life. I am taking my time towards work. Abhi main apne kadam isme jamana chahti hoon.”