Ankita Lokhande disclosed that Shah Rukh Khan promised her the “best debut,” and Sanjay Leela Bhansali attempted to persuade her.
Ankita Lokhande and Sushant Singh Rajput were one of the most well-known and influential couples on Indian television. When they were cast as Manav and Archana, the show’s main characters, they got to know each other on the set. Their chemistry was evident, and the show was a big success. Fans were thrilled to see them as a real-life couple because they fell in love while they were filming for the show.
But in 2016, their romance came to an end. The couple never provided a concrete explanation for why they split up, thus there were just rumours, conjectures, and private conversations. Some claimed it was due to Sushant’s rising prominence, while others claimed it was due to Ankita’s authoritarian tendencies. Whatever the reason, their followers were shocked to learn about the split. One of the most well-liked couples on Indian television, their followers have been wishing for their nuptials.
Ankita Lokhande later admitted in an interview that she herself had been eager to wed Sushant Singh Rajput and that this was a big factor in her decision to reject both Bajirao Mastani and Ram Leela. In addition to them, she turned down a first role in Sultan and Happy New Year with Salman Khan! The actress spoke candidly about putting her personal life first when she was offered these roles in an interview with Bollywood Bubble a few years back.
The actress went so far as to describe Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s response to her rejection of his offer. According to the actress, “Sanjay Sir called me up for Bajirao and said, “Kar le, warna bahot pachtaigi,” and I said, “Nai Sir, mujhe shaadi karni hai.” She even went into detail about her own troubles after believing that Sushant Singh Rajput put his work before her. I didn’t want to talk about my personal relationship publicly, she affirmed in the same interview. People mistook me; they now approach me and say, “You left Sushant.” Where did you learn that? Nobody is aware of what I do. I don’t blame anyone; Sushant was very clear about his decision. He made the decision to continue in his chosen field of work because he wished to. But But I had to deal with a lot for two and a half years.
We are unable to confirm the roles that were offered to her in these Bhansali films, but they may have been the lead roles given that SSR was also considered for them. However, let’s go on to even more illustrious individuals that will startle you. The initial pick for Sultan and Happy New Year was Ankita. For the leading lady!
In the same interview, the actress admitted, “I gave up on Happy New Year. I remember Farah Khan ma’am offering me the movie, and Shah Rukh Khan sir saying, I would try to give you the best debut. I then exclaimed, “Bhagwan mera na ho yaar.” Mera na ho films mein, sirf acha ho, mein partner. I made an effort to assist Sushant strongly, and I succeeded. According to some rumours, she was the best candidate to play Sultan, Salman Khan’s love interest. According to a source in Gulte, she was even personally offered the role of Badlapur by Varun Dhawan, but she turned them all down because she wanted to wed Sushant.
Ankita Lokhande made her film debut in 2019 as a supporting character in Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika. Right now, she’s blissfully wed to businessman Vicky Jain.