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Ankita Lokhande plays Jhalkaribai in Kangana Ranaut in Starrer Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. In an exclusive conversation with indianexpress.com, Ankita talks about her character in the movie, the transition from television to Bollywood and the MeToo movement.
Q. Is Manikarnika felt like the best start? Why?
I do not know what is the best and what is not. I believe that to do the best for yourself and I do it with Manikarnika. I have created my character best for myself so that I can be seen and leave a mark on people.
Q. Manikarnika revolves mainly around the character of Kangana Ranaut. Since you started out, did not you feel that you will go unnoticed?
I do not think people will go unnoticed because I know myself. If I do something like 15 minutes, I want to leave a mark. You can only do this if you have a character that requires you to play. Jhalkari is one of these characters. When you watch the movie, you will understand what I am trying to convey. Of course, it's Kangana Ranaut's movie. She is there all along, but I'm sure that Ankita will also be visible to the public.
Q. How far can you relate to the character?
When I heard about my role, I wanted to know more. We know Rani Laxmibai but I have never heard of Jhalkaribai. Who is she? My fascination started with his name. By the way, I thought she'd be somebody nice, but she's not. She is totally opposed in fact. She is difficult, courageous, confident, committed, loyal to the country and faithful friend of the character of Kangana. That's what the story tells. How women got together, fought and won the battle. The film focuses on the empowerment of women, women who fight against evil and, in my opinion, it comes at the right time because we are all witnessing a change in India where everyone wakes up in the power of women.
Q. Did you find a similarity between Jhalkaribai and Ankita?
I think Jhalkaribai is moofat. She is very happy with her opinions and I am exactly like that. Somehow, people take it differently, but I am what I am. Jhalkaribai takes a stand, not just for herself, but wherever she feels she needs to support others. That's me. People talk badly about me because I'm banging my nose in a lot of areas. I am like that because I always want to stand against evil and support good.
Q. Do you think such stories led by women are important in our time and in our time?
Of course. Today, we say that we are so advanced and open minded, but I do not think so. Wearing short clothing does not guarantee openness. Look at these women. The strength that they carried. They gave their lives for the country. Do you have this courage? I do not. It is not so easy. It happened because the women supported each other. Today, we do not support each other. We focus more on separating, which hurts us. We must realize the power we have in ourselves. If we are all together, one for the other, there is nothing impossible. It's high time. We should take a stand against everything that needs to be corrected.
Q. According to you, who is Jhansi from Bollywood and why?
I think Rekha ma'am is the Bollywood Jhansi. Until today, she is so brave, daring and such a pillar for the industry.
Q. You were the perfect bahu of India when you appeared in Pavitra Rishta. After the show, you have disappeared from the scene for a long time. Have you planned to stop?
It was never like that. How can I stop? I can not. It's in me. The ka keeda acting is in me. I will do it until my death. People badumed that I had left work but that was not the case. I am here to work. I like to entertain and make people feel. In describing the character of Archana in Pavitra Rishta, I made people cry. This time too, with Jhalkaribai, the public will have tears in their eyes.
Q. Was it intentional not to watch television?
Nothing like. I do not plan my life. Whatever comes to me, I take it. I take risks, but that does not mean I will never go back to television. I've always maintained that television was my maika, while cinema was my secret. I have spent six years of my life on television. I think that, on a creative basis, everyone needs to grow. The cinema is bigger and offers more opportunities.
I want to play roles. I can not get stuck in one thing even though I did it for Archana and I do not regret it. I was happy to stay on TV. It will always be my baby. Now, movies are my second baby. I've always been focused on how I want to take my career. When I was doing television, I was not everywhere. Similarly, for now, I focus only on the beginnings. I am therefore satisfied with the turn of my career.
Q. And then, boom, we see you making this glittering entrance in your best light. What inspired the change?
(Laughs) Everyone's asking me the same thing. In fact, I see people tweeting if I'm the same Archana playing this perfect bahu in Pavitra Rishta. I guess it's just clothes and looks. For me, I could not see a change but yes, in the ditch that I took (from work), I think I grew up as a human being. I've been working on a different look than that of Archana and even Ankita. I wanted people to look at me differently. In addition, I understood the importance of self-esteem. I started taking care of myself and became more confident. I continue to give words of encouragement that no one can take advantage of you and that people who come or go should not stop your life.
Q. You were one of the actors who talked about MeToo when it touched the entertainment industry in India.
I felt the need to speak against it and that's what I did. I can not go and convince people to support or go out. If they do not feel it, we can not force them. Do not stop because someone around you does not do it. If you have already read it or if you want to express your support, tweet, write or express in any way possible. Just do it. Do not think about the repercussions. To take a position. I can be wrong for many, but for my part, I'm right.
Q. What do you have to say about the last allegation against Rajkumar Hirani?
I can not judge anything and I can not make any statement. I know him. I think it's a genuine and kind human being. He is too old and I have seen his work. That said, I can not say anything because the girl only knows what she went through.
Q. You confessed to being in love during recent interviews. There are also rumors of marriage. Tell us something about it.
Well (takes a long break) the wedding is not on the cards for the moment. I am very engaged in my work and excited about the release of the film.
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