Famously known for her work in the television serial Pavitra Rishta and movie Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, actor Ankita Lokhande recently opened up about her breakup with the actor, late Sushant Singh Rajput. The all-revealing interview has taken social media by storm.
More lovingly remembered as SSR, the actor died by suicide in June 2020. The actor’s death shocked his fans and the entertainment industry, and controversies were quick to follow. Meanwhile, his ex-girlfriend, Ankita, was blamed by his fans for breaking up with him. It took about a year, but the actress finally spoke up about her and Sushant’s breakup back in 2016.
In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Ankita revealed the actual reason for her breakup. She said, “People come and tell me ‘You left Sushant...’. How do you know that? Nobody knows about my thing, you know. I am not blaming anyone here. Sushant... he made his choice very clear. He wanted to go on with his career. He chose his career and moved on. But for two-and-a-half years, I was dealing with so many things.”
The actress also revealed that she had Sushant’s pictures in her house till two-and-a-half years after their breakup. Talking about it, she said, “There are people, woh aate thay bolte thay ‘Arey photos hatao yaar kyoun laga rakhe hai toone? Paagal hai kya Sushant ki photo laga rakhi hai?’ (they used to come and say, ‘Remove these pictures, why do you still have them? Are you mad that you have Sushant’s pictures here?’) I said give me time, I need my time.”
While it is a well-known fact that Sushant debuted with Kai Po Che in 2013 (while the couple was still dating), not many were aware that Ankita, too, has received offers to become a part of the Indian film industry. Which, she gave up! Elaborating she revealed in her interview, “I gave up on Happy New Year, I remember Farah ma’am she offered me this film and I met Shah Rukh sir also. He was like, 'I will try to give you the best debut.' And I was like, okay, but at the back of my mind… I was in Macau, Me, Sushant and Shah Rukh, we were sitting. And I was like ‘Bhagwan mera na ho!’ (God, I hope I don't get it.).”
She said adding, “The way a girl is, she always tries that ‘my partner should get the best,’ you know! That’s what you think… and till today I have no regrets. I was trying to build a man and I did that… I was just trying to be a strong support for Sushant and I did it.”
It was also revealed during the interview that Ankita opted out of films such as Bajirao Mastani, Ram-Leela and Sultan. Sharing a snippet of her conversation with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the actress said that she declined the offer and told him, "I want to get married" when she was offered a role in Bajirao Mastani.
Reel to Real: Background
For the unversed, Ankita Lokhande and Sushant Singh Rajput fell in love while they were working together in the TV serial Pavitra Rishta. The love interests onscreen became real-life sweethearts much to the happiness of their fans. The two dated for about six years before calling it quits in 2016. By this time, Sushant was already a part of the B-Town.
After his death, the actress came forward and talked about the actor. She also claimed that it is unbelievable that SSR took his own life. On the late actor's birth anniversary recently, Ankita took to Instagram and shared a couple of his old videos with his fans.
Ankita’s Instagram reveal
This is not the first time that the actress has spoken up about Sushant. Earlier this month, silver screen’s megastar took to Instagram to connect with her fans, and explained, “Sabki apni-apni motives hoti hai life mein. (Everyone has motive in life) Sushant always wanted to grow in his life and that is what he did. Woh chala gaya apne raaste. Uske liye main kahaan galat saabit hoti hun? Mujhe kyun gaaliyaan di jaati hai? (He went his way. How am I to be blamed for that? Why am I being abused?) You don't know what is my story, so stop blaming me. It is really hurtful.”
Even though the live session turned many heads, her side of the ‘truth’ on an interview with Bollywood Bubble, has taken social media by storm.
At present…
Ankita is dating Vicky Jain and often posts pictures with him. "He is in my life and I'm very, very happy with him. He keeps me balanced," Ankita said about her beau during the interview.
We wish her all the luck and love.