Ankita Lokhande is an Indian actress who earned fame with her debut award-winning role in Balaji Telefilms’ daily show Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV. She was one of the highest-paid television actors until she retired in 2018 to foray into films.
She also participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2011) and Comedy Circus as a partner of Kapil Sharma.
She started her Movie career in 2019 from Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi along with Kangana Ranaut. After that, she also appeared in Baaghi 3(2020) along with Shraddha Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, and Riteish Deshmukh.
Women Fitness India gets in a candid conversation with Ankita Lokhande over films, journeys, and fitness!
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Ankita, you came from a non-entertainment background family and become a household name with your role in Pavitra Rishta and now you ventured into Bollywood as well, Tell us now that you look back how would you describe your journey as
Ms. Ankita Lokhande
Yes, I came from a non-filmy background, but of course, I came with a lot of dreams and passion to make something in this world. And that’s why this was the only dream, I had that I wanted to become an actor and then I got Pavitra Rishta and I actually never thought that, that Pavitra Rishta will become such a big hit and, Archana will be such a big character that people will appreciate I Definitely feel fortunate that Balaji gave me this opportunity. And, I became part of one of the biggest shows of Balaji and Indian television. So I’ve been fortunate and if I look at my journey, I feel very proud of myself because when you come from a small town and, you have lots of hopes. But I definitely feel proud of myself and I definitely realize I have a very long journey to go, and I’m working towards that and I’m hoping to make it there also
FULL INTERVIEW ON NEXT PAGE!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar
You have been part of Manikarnika, which was a period role, of Jhalkaribai, how did you prepare yourself for the role, and how was your experience working on the big screen
Ms.Ankita Lokhande
Manikarnika was my first film, and Mr. Kamal Jain, who approached me for the role of Jhalkaribai by and it has been a great experience, And I think I took a training for about one and a half months where I learned the sword fighting horse-riding, It was really something which I always wanted to do. Because when you coming on A big screen. You have so many things in your mind that you want to look at and give your best to it. And I definitely tried my best Oh yes. The role was definitely shorter than what I expected but I feel it’s more about how you leave your mark. what you put in your character, that is more important and I think I gave up best to it and it became my first debut film and I got nominated for the film, and, that’s a very big thing for me and I feel good about it, I feel very nice about it.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Besides, acting ventures you have also been part of Does reality show what is your take on that? Do you plan to do any reality shows in the future?
Ms. Ankita Lokhande
I have done many reality shows, and I came also to Mumbai through a reality show, which is Zee Cine Stars Ki Khoj which was in 2004. Yes. So, I came through that show then I did Jhalak Dikhala Ja, I did Comedy Circus with Kapil Sharma, I think. And I’m not actually really right now, looking for reality shows, but something comes across And if I’m want to do it then, I’ll think about it.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Women Fitness India, talks about celebrity diet and fitness regime, do you follow any special diet? What are your favorite cuisine and one cuisine you dislike the most?
Ms.Ankita Lokhande
Yes, I’m into Fitness. I’m doing yoga twice a week then mixed martial arts thrice a week. I work out in the gym Also, I work out sometimes twice a day and if I talk about my diet, sometimes, when I put on weight, I go for a keto diet, for a month at least, apart from that, I prefer to have a balanced diet, where I’m having proper protein, proper fiber. So it backs it up with Carbs because carbs are also very important, I am somebody, I am really not really fond of Cuisines. I only like Indian Food That’s my very big problem, actually, I’m a very Indian chapatti Roti or Dal Sabzi girl so I prefer to, always go for Indian food. I am a vegetarian and I love to eat green veggies.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
What comprises your fitness regime? How many times do you work out in a week?
Ms. Ankita Lokhande
I actually do three times yoga in a week, twice martial arts a week. And I go to the gym thrice a week. So sometimes I work twice a day.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
With an actor’s life being fully booked, how do you manage to keep up with your diet and fitness routine?
Ms.Ankita Lokhande
Right now we are in lockdown, so nothing to worry about. We have lots of time to work out and to have a proper diet. But yes when you’re working or when you going for a shoot you have a very tough schedule, because sometimes you’re shooting day and night sometimes you are shooting continuously for two to three days. So, of course, it gets difficult but I think I’m somebody who takes out the time for the proper workout. Especially during this lockdown, I made this routine for myself that no matter what happens I have to work out, I get up at 5 in the morning. I do meditation, then I go for my workout, Now, I really don’t want to give any excuses for my fitness to my meditation, to my mental balance, to my mental health to my body health.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
With so much toxicity in the environment, how do you keep up with mental fitness?
Ms. Ankita Lokhande
For mental health, I believe in yoga and meditation, complete meditation. I get up at 5 in the morning to do yoga and meditation. This is followed by my workout sessions, so mental health is really important. Keep thinking, positive thoughts, you have to be positive. Yes, lockdown is happening. Everybody is at home thinking, so many things people are going through many, good and bad things. But I think you have to just form a good balance, you need to do a meditation. I will always suggest to people that they should actually get up early at Brahmamuhurta time, I was never a person who used to get up early, But you know, there was this time when I told myself now, it’s high time that I should get up early I tried getting 4:30 in the morning, I do my meditation and yoga, You feel that connection with God, and henceforth you will have good mental wellbeing!
Ms. Namita Nayyar
An actor is best known for his work, what are your upcoming projects and future plans you would like to share with your fans?
Ms. Ankita Lokhande
Yes, of course, I’m an actor and I have so many plans and a future but because of lockdown, so many things are going here and there. But yes, there are a few projects which are coming but I can’t really tell you what I’m doing, but you will definitely know in the future, I’m very sure people will appreciate the work I’m doing because fans are really important. Whatever I intend to do is for my fans and for myself and I hope that whatever decisions I make, for my work, the best for me, and for my fans.
Ms.Namita Nayyar:
Being the cover girl for Women Fitness India, you are an inspiration to many young aspiring actors who wish to enter the industry, piece of advice you would like to share
Ms.Ankita Lokhande:
Well, thank you so much for putting me on the cover of Women Fitness India, when we are young we have so many Inspirations like my inspiration is always Madhuri Dixit. I was really looking towards her and I wanted to become her even today when I look at her I feel like I’m going to become like her that’s my dream and there are girls, Who might want to be like me I feel good about it, but I want to give a piece of advice to every girl, don’t get demotivated If something doesn’t work out for you. And keep your options open if not acting something else will work for you and make sure to keep your ways open because see I did Manikarnika and it was a second lead but that’s okay. I did it because I wanted to do it. I would always suggest not just to girls to everyone is that keep your family close to you so that whenever you may feel low you have someone to have your back, I still live with my family, they are my biggest support system, so that’s my best advice that keep your family close and keeps your options open!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Lastly, with social media becoming an integral part of our lives, do you think it’s a Boone or bane? Also, how do you keep yourself sane with trolling and negative comments?
Ms.Ankita Lokhande:
Social media is part of us but I try to sometimes go offline. And trust me. I literally tried this month for going offline for 20 days and I was so happy. I was not literally looking at social media and I’m okay with that I have no problem. It’s just that if it’s in front of you, want to just go for that. But otherwise, I have understood that I can handle it. But sometimes social media is actually very important because people are doing a lot of productive work through social media. If you use it in a positive way, in a correct way, then it’s working for you, Also how do I keep myself sane, well I don’t I really don’t care what people are talking about me, that means I’m really important for them so you can let them keep talking.
I mean that’s okay because everybody has a point of view towards me. Some people are really good to me. Some people are really bad to me. Some are really talking negatively about me. Some people are really positive about me. So it is their wish their time, I would rather say don’t waste your time on me, commenting badly. If you can appreciate, people, appreciate them if you can’t appreciate them. So please don’t, talk negatively about them.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.