Ankita Lokhande

Ankita Lokhande Jain (pronounced [əŋˈkɪt̪a ˈloːkʰəɳɖeː]; born Tanuja Lokhande; 19 December 1984) is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi films and television. She made her acting debut with the role of Archana Manav Deshmukh in Pavitra Rishta (2009–2014) and is the recipient of 3 Gold Awards, 1 ITA Award, and 2 Indian Telly Award. She also appeared in the films Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019), Baaghi 3 (2020) and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (2024). In 2023, she participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 17.

Early life

Lokhande was born as Tanuja Lokhande, on 19 December 1984 in Indore She was born in a Marathi family, to Shashikant Lokhande and Vandana Phadnis Lokhande, a teacher. She also has two brothers Sooraj and Arpan, and a sister Jyoti. After graduating she moved to Mumbai in 2005 to pursue a career in acting. She has been a badminton champion, during her early days.

Career

Debut and establishment (2009–2018)

After participating in India's Best Cinestars Ki Khoj (2007–09), Lokhande bagged the lead role of Archana Deshmukh in Ekta Kapoor's daily soap Pavitra Rishta. She portrayed Archana opposite Sushant Singh Rajput and Hiten Tejwani from 2009 to 2014. Pavitra Rishta took a generation leap in 2013 and Lokhande also began playing Archana's granddaughter Ankita Karmarkar, opposite Karan Veer Mehra, until the series ended in 2014.

Lokhande participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4, where she was ranked 5th and Comedy Circus ka Naya Daur. She did two episodes for Ek Thhi Naayka, opposite Sachin Shroff.