Ankita Lokhande opens up about turning down Bajirao Mastani; says, “No regrets, just a learning experience”
Ankita Lokhande, widely recognized for her role in the popular television series Pavitra Rishta, made headlines when she declined Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s offer to star in Bajirao Mastani. In a recent interview, Ankita shared her perspective on the decision and her journey since then.
Addressing the question of whether she regrets her choice, Ankita responded, “No, I don’t have regrets about anything in my life. I may acknowledge that I made a decision that wasn’t right for me, but I don’t regret it. Right now, I’m living my dream life, and there’s nothing in my past that I regret. When it comes to work, I’ll put in more hard work to achieve similar opportunities. In my life, I’ve never regretted anything; everything I’ve done has been with conviction. At that time, my priorities were different, which led to the wrong decision. It’s okay; such things happen to everyone, and perhaps it wasn’t meant to be in my destiny.”
Following the success of her television show, Ankita ventured into films like Baaghi 3 and Manikarnika. When asked about the significance of being part of a certain “camp” in the industry, Ankita shared her perspective, saying, “I really don’t know if being part of a camp is crucial or not. I believe that if something is destined for me, it will happen, and I’m fine with that. If it’s written in my destiny, it will come to me. Some things have not come into my hands yet. I’m quite selective about my work; I choose what I want to do in life. I’m not in a hurry to appear on camera just for the sake of it. People know me, love me, and I appreciate my genuine audience who have always supported me. I know what I want to achieve in my life, and I take time to select my roles. When you aim to do something meaningful, patience is necessary. I’m patiently waiting for it.”
Ankita also expressed her self-assuredness and lack of insecurity when it comes to her contemporaries’ success, stating, “I have this sense of security because I know who I am. I’ve known since childhood that I’m a star. I don’t feel threatened by anyone’s success or beauty. I’m not insecure about anyone’s talent or looks because I know myself, and I’m talented and good-looking. When you have the love of your audience, you’re not afraid of anything. I compete with myself and continue to grow on my own terms. I’m genuinely happy when someone else succeeds, and whenever someone does great work, I’m hopeful that I can achieve something similar in the future.”