Ankita Lokhande Jain (born Tanuja Lokhande; 19 December 1984) is an Indian actress who mainly works in Hindi films and television. She made her acting debut with an award-winning role in Pavitra Rishta (2009-2014). Lokhande is a recipient of three Gold Awards, one ITA Award, Indian Telly Award each.Lokhande made her film debut with Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019), receiving a nomination for the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut and then appeared in Baaghi 3 (2020). In 2023, she participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 17, where she finished as the 3rd runner-up. She has since starred in Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (2024).

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 Arun, 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.

Life and career

Lokhande was born on 19 December 1984, in a Marathi family in Indore to her mother Vandana Phadnis Lokhande, a teacher, and her father Shashikant Lokhande. She also has two brothers Sooraj and Arun, and a sister Jyoti. After graduating she moved to Mumbai in 2005 to pursue a career in acting.

She participated in ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4'' and ''Comedy Circus'' and did an episodic for ''Ek Thi Naayka''.

''Pavitra Rishta'' took a generation leap in 2013, and Lokhande also began playing Archana's granddaughter Ankita, along with her former role of Archana, until the series ended in 2014.

Lokhande co-starred with Sushant Singh Rajput in ''Pavitra Rishta,'' and they began dating in 2010, Rajput proposed her in the dance reality show ''Jhalak Dikhlaja 4''. In a 2016 interview, the couple even spoke of marrying each other. However the same year couple parted their ways.


After a two-year gap from acting and her separation from Rajput, there were reports that Lokhande was set for a movie debut with a role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama ''Padmaavat'' (2018). However she left the movie, replying that she was not ready for film.

The following year, speculation spread that she had been signed for Girish Malik's film ''Torbaaz'' along with Sanjay Dutt. However, rumours proved to be untrue after Malik stated that Lokhande was not going to be involved with the film.

Lokhande next starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action packed production ''Baaghi 3'' (2020), the third part of the ''Baaghi'' trilogy, alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh, in the role of Kapoor's elder sister married to Deshmukh's character. The film was released prior to the shut down of theatres owing to COVID-19 pandemic in India, which affected the box office performance.

In 2021 she reprised her role as Archana in web series ''Pavitra Rishta 2.0'' along with Shaheer Sheikh.

In 2019, she announced her relationship with Vicky Jain, a businessman. They married on 14 December 2021 in Mumbai. In February 2022, she participated in StarPlus' ''Smart Jodi'' with her husband, Vicky Jain, subsequently becoming the winner of Season 1.

Early life and career (1984–2005)

Lokhande was born on 19 December 1984, in a Marathi family in Indore to her mother Vandana Phadnis Lokhande, a teacher, and her father Shashikant Lokhande. She also has two brothers Sooraj and Arun, and a sister Jyoti. After graduating she moved to Mumbai in 2005 to pursue a career in acting.

Career

''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.After a two-year hiatus from acting and her separation from Rajput, there were reports that Lokhande was set to make her film debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama ''Padmaavat'' (2018). However, she left the film, stating that she was not ready for films at that time. The following year, speculation spread that she had been signed for Girish Malik's film ''Torbaaz'' along with Sanjay Dutt. However, rumours proved to be untrue after Malik stated that Lokhande was not going to be involved with the film.In 2018, Lokhande announced that she would make her film debut in the role of Jhalkaribai, a warrior in Krish and Kangana Ranaut's joint directorial venture ''Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi'', an epic drama based on the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai. The film was released on the eve of Republic Day 2019 and emerged as a hit at the box office. ''Bollywood Hungama'' noted, "Lokhande as Jhalkari Bai is excellent and leaves a tremendous mark in her limited screen time."Lokhande next starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action thriller film ''Baaghi 3'' in 2020, the third part of the ''Baaghi'' trilogy, alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh. She played the role of Kapoor's elder sister married to Deshmukh's character. The film was released prior to the shutdown of theatres owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in India, which affected the box office performance. ''Filmfare'' stated, "The two girls Shraddha and Ankita, despite the build-up about them both being fiery characters, have nothing to do really in the film."Lokhande reprised her role as Archana Deshmukh in the web series ''Pavitra Rishta: It's Never Too Late'' along with Shaheer Sheikh from 2021 to 2022. In her review, Archika Khurana said, "As Archana, Ankita gives a well-balanced and likeable performance. She makes us believe that this role was custom-made for her." In February 2022, Lokhande participated in StarPlus' ''Smart Jodi'' with her husband, Vicky Jain, subsequently becoming the winner of the season. From 2023 to 2024, Lokhande appeared as a contestant on the reality TV show ''Bigg Boss 17''. She joined the show alongside her husband, Vicky Jain. Lokhande was placed as the 3rd runner-up of the show.In 2024, Lokhande appeared in ''Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'', playing Yamunabai Savarkar opposite Randeep Hooda. Sana Farzeen of ''India Today'' stated, "Ankita Lokhande gives an honest performance even though she doesn't have much to do."

Debut and rise to stardom (2009–2018)

''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.After a two-year hiatus from acting and her separation from Rajput, there were reports that Lokhande was set to make her film debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama ''Padmaavat'' (2018). However, she left the film, stating that she was not ready for films at that time. The following year, speculation spread that she had been signed for Girish Malik's film ''Torbaaz'' along with Sanjay Dutt. However, rumours proved to be untrue after Malik stated that Lokhande was not going to be involved with the film.

Debut and establishment (2009–2018)

''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.After a two-year hiatus from acting and her separation from Rajput, there were reports that Lokhande was set to make her film debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama ''Padmaavat'' (2018). However, she left the film, stating that she was not ready for films at that time. The following year, speculation spread that she had been signed for Girish Malik's film ''Torbaaz'' along with Sanjay Dutt. However, rumours proved to be untrue after Malik stated that Lokhande was not going to be involved with the film.

Rise to stardom and personal life (2009–2016)

She participated in ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4'' and ''Comedy Circus'' and did an episodic for ''Ek Thi Naayka''.

''Pavitra Rishta'' took a generation leap in 2013, and Lokhande also began playing Archana's granddaughter Ankita, along with her former role of Archana, until the series ended in 2014.

Lokhande co-starred with Sushant Singh Rajput in ''Pavitra Rishta,'' and they began dating in 2010, Rajput proposed her in the dance reality show ''Jhalak Dikhlaja 4''. In a 2016 interview, the couple even spoke of marrying each other. However the same year couple parted their ways.

Expansion to films (2019–2022)

In 2018, Lokhande announced that she would make her film debut in the role of Jhalkaribai, a warrior in Krish and Kangana Ranaut's joint directorial venture ''Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi'', an epic drama based on the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai. The film was released on the eve of Republic Day 2019 and emerged as a hit at the box office. ''Bollywood Hungama'' noted, "Lokhande as Jhalkari Bai is excellent and leaves a tremendous mark in her limited screen time."Lokhande next starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action thriller film ''Baaghi 3'' in 2020, the third part of the ''Baaghi'' trilogy, alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh. She played the role of Kapoor's elder sister married to Deshmukh's character. The film was released prior to the shutdown of theatres owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in India, which affected the box office performance. ''Filmfare'' stated, "The two girls Shraddha and Ankita, despite the build-up about them both being fiery characters, have nothing to do really in the film."Lokhande reprised her role as Archana Deshmukh in the web series ''Pavitra Rishta: It's Never Too Late'' along with Shaheer Sheikh from 2021 to 2022. In her review, Archika Khurana said, "As Archana, Ankita gives a well-balanced and likeable performance. She makes us believe that this role was custom-made for her." In February 2022, Lokhande participated in StarPlus' ''Smart Jodi'' with her husband, Vicky Jain, subsequently becoming the winner of the season.

Film debut and expansion (2019–present)

''Bollywood Hungama'' noted, "Lokhande as Jhalkari Bai is excellent and leaves a tremendous mark in her limited screen time."Lokhande next starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action thriller film ''Baaghi 3'' in 2020, the third part of the ''Baaghi'' trilogy, alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh. She played the role of Kapoor's elder sister married to Deshmukh's character. The film was released prior to the shutdown of theatres owing to COVID-19 pandemic in India, which affected the box office performance. ''Filmfare'' stated, "The two girls Shraddha and Ankita, despite the build-up about them both being fiery characters, have nothing to do really in the film."Lokhande reprised her role as Archana Deshmukh in the web series ''Pavitra Rishta: It's Never Too Late'' along with Shaheer Sheikh from 2021 to 2022. In February 2022, Lokhande participated in StarPlus' ''Smart Jodi'' with her husband, Vicky Jain, subsequently becoming the winner of the season.In 2023, she played a woman going through divorce in the film ''The Last Coffee''. ''Times of India'' wrote, "Lokhande looks stunning and shines brightly in emotional scenes." Since 15 October 2023, Lokhande has been a contestant on the reality TV show ''Bigg Boss 17''. The show is broadcast on the TV channel Colors and streamed on OTT platform JioCinema. The show, hosted by Salman Khan, is a franchise of the Dutch reality show ''Big Brother'' and is produced by Endemol Shine India through Viacom18 and Disney Star. She joined the show alongside her husband, Vicky Jain, who happens to be one of the fellow contestants. Since 15 October 2023, Lokhande has been a contestant on the reality TV show ''Bigg Boss 17''. The show is broadcast on the TV channel Colors and streamed on OTT platform JioCinema. The show, hosted by Salman Khan, is a franchise of the Dutch reality show ''Big Brother'' and is produced by Endemol Shine India through Viacom18 and Disney Star. She joined the show alongside her husband, Vicky Jain, who happens to be one of the fellow contestants.

Film and web series debut (2017–2021)

After a two-year gap from acting and her separation from Rajput, there were reports that Lokhande was set for a movie debut with a role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama ''Padmaavat'' (2018). However she left the movie, replying that she was not ready for film.

The following year, speculation spread that she had been signed for Girish Malik's film ''Torbaaz'' along with Sanjay Dutt. However, rumours proved to be untrue after Malik stated that Lokhande was not going to be involved with the film.

Lokhande next starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action packed production ''Baaghi 3'' (2020), the third part of the ''Baaghi'' trilogy, alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh, in the role of Kapoor's elder sister married to Deshmukh's character. The film was released prior to the shut down of theatres owing to COVID-19 pandemic in India, which affected the box office performance.

In 2021 she reprised her role as Archana in web series ''Pavitra Rishta 2.0'' along with Shaheer Sheikh.

Further career and recent work (2023-present)

From 2023 to 2024, Lokhande appeared as a contestant on the reality TV show ''Bigg Boss 17''. She joined the show alongside her husband, Vicky Jain. Lokhande was placed as the 3rd runner-up of the show.In 2024, Lokhande appeared in ''Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'', playing Yamunabai Savarkar opposite Randeep Hooda. Sana Farzeen of ''India Today'' stated, "Ankita Lokhande gives an honest performance even though she doesn't have much to do."

Marriage and further (2021–present)

In 2019, she announced her relationship with Vicky Jain, a businessman. They married on 14 December 2021 in Mumbai. In February 2022, she participated in StarPlus' ''Smart Jodi'' with her husband, Vicky Jain, subsequently becoming the winner of Season 1.

Personal life and media image

Lokhande co-starred with Sushant Singh Rajput in ''Pavitra Rishta,'' and they began dating in 2010, when Rajput proposed to her in the dance reality show ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4''. In a 2016 interview, the couple even spoke of marrying each other. However the same year, the couple parted their ways. Lokhande later said in an interview that Rajput wanted to focus on his career and hence they parted ways.In 2019, Lokhande announced her relationship with Vikas Jain, a businessman. Lokhande married Jain on 14 December 2021 in Mumbai.Lokhande has established herself as one of the most popular and highest-paid television actresses in India. She ranked 7th in Rediff.com's Top 10 Television Actresses list of 2014.

Film career (2018–present)

After a two-year gap from acting and her separation from Rajput, there were reports that Lokhande was set for a movie debut with a role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmaavat (2018). However she left the movie, replying that she was not ready for film.The following year, speculation spread that she had been signed for Girish Malik's film Torbaaz along with Sanjay Dutt. However, rumours proved to be untrue after Malik stated that Lokhande was not going to be involved with the film.In 2018, she announced she would appear in the role of Jhalkaribai, a warrior in Krish and Kangana Ranaut's joint directorial venture Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, an epic drama based on the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai. The film received a theatrical premiere during the eve of Republic day 2019 and did quite very well at the box-office, becoming her first commercial success.Lokhande next starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action packed production Baaghi 3 (2020), the third part of the Baaghi trilogy, alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh, in the role of Kapoor's elder sister married to Deshmukh's character. The film was released prior to the shut down of theatres owing to Coronavirus pandemic in India, which affected the box office performance.

Personal life

Lokhande co-starred with Sushant Singh Rajput in ''Pavitra Rishta,'' and they began dating in 2010, when Rajput proposed to her in the dance reality show ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4''. In a 2016 interview, the couple even spoke of marrying each other. However the same year, the couple parted their ways. She later said in an interview that Rajput wanted to focus on his career and hence they parted ways.In 2019, Lokhande announced her relationship with Vikas Jain, a businessman. Lokhande married Jain on 14 December 2021 in a traditional ceremony in Mumbai.