Ankita Lokhande: The TV Star Who Made It Big in Bollywood and Bigg Boss

Ankita Lokhande is one of the most successful and versatile actresses in the Indian entertainment industry. She has made a mark in both television and films, and is currently a contestant on the reality show Bigg Boss 17. In this article, we will take a look at her journey from a small-town girl to a big-screen diva, and her controversies, achievements, and personal life.

Early Life and Career

Ankita Lokhande was born as Tanuja Lokhande on 19 December 1984 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. She belongs to a middle-class Marathi family, and has two brothers and a sister. She was a state-level badminton player in her college days, and moved to Mumbai in 2005 to pursue her dream of acting. ¹

She started her career as a contestant on the talent hunt show India's Best Cinestars Ki Khoj in 2007, where she impressed the judges with her acting skills. She then bagged the lead role of Archana Deshmukh in Ekta Kapoor's daily soap Pavitra Rishta, which became a huge hit and made her a household name. She played the role of Archana opposite Sushant Singh Rajput and Hiten Tejwani from 2009 to 2014, and won several awards and accolades for her performance. ²

She also participated in other shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4, Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur, and Ek Thhi Naayka. She took a break from acting after Pavitra Rishta ended, and focused on her personal life.

Film Debut and Expansion

Ankita Lokhande made her film debut in 2019 with the period drama Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, where she played the role of Jhalkaribai, a warrior and a close aide of Rani Laxmibai. The film, which was co-directed by Kangana Ranaut and Krish, was a box office success and received positive reviews from critics. Ankita's performance as Jhalkaribai was praised by many, and she was nominated for the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut. ³

She then starred in the action thriller Baaghi 3 in 2020, where she played the role of Ruchi Nanda, the sister of Tiger Shroff's character. The film, which was directed by Ahmed Khan, was a commercial hit and one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Ankita's role was appreciated by the audience and the critics alike. ⁴

She is currently working on her next film, which is yet to be announced. She is also a contestant on the reality show Bigg Boss 17, where she is competing with other celebrities for the title and the prize money. She is one of the most popular and controversial contestants on the show, and has been involved in many fights, arguments, and emotional moments. She has also opened up about her personal life, her relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput, and her marriage with Vicky Jain. ⁵

 Personal Life and Controversies

Ankita Lokhande was in a six-year relationship with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whom she met on the sets of Pavitra Rishta. The couple was one of the most loved and admired pairs in the industry, and they even planned to get married. However, they broke up in 2016, due to unknown reasons. Ankita has always maintained that it was a mutual decision, and that they remained friends after the breakup. ⁶

After Sushant's tragic death in 2020, Ankita was devastated and supported his family in their quest for justice. She also faced a lot of backlash from some fans, who accused her of leaving him and not being there for him when he needed her. Ankita has always denied these allegations, and has said that she still respects and loves Sushant. ⁷

Ankita then started dating businessman Vicky Jain, whom she married in December 2021. The couple had a lavish wedding ceremony, which was attended by many celebrities and friends. Ankita and Vicky are very happy and in love, and often share their pictures and videos on social media. ⁸

Ankita has also faced many other controversies in her career, such as:

- Slapping Sushant Singh Rajput at a party, when he was drunk and dancing with other girls. ⁹

- Having issues with Kangana Ranaut on the sets of Manikarnika, and accusing her of interfering and dominating. [^10^]

- Revealing that she faced casting couch pressure in the industry, and was asked to compromise by a producer. ¹¹

- Being called a gold digger by some people, who claimed that she married Vicky Jain for his money and lifestyle. ¹²

Ankita has always handled these controversies with grace and dignity, and has never let them affect her work and happiness. She is a strong, confident, and independent woman, who believes in herself and her dreams.

Conclusion

Ankita Lokhande is a talented and versatile actress, who has proved her mettle in both television and films. She is also a contestant on Bigg Boss 17, where she is showing her real and raw side to the audience. She has faced many ups and downs in her life, but has always emerged stronger and wiser. She is an inspiration to many young girls, who want to make it big in the entertainment industry. She is Ankita Lokhande, the TV star who made it big in Bollywood and Bigg Boss.