Ankita Lokhande reflects on ‘Pavitra Rishta’, says its story in her life has ‘gracefully moved forward’

Mumbai — Ankita Lokhande recently took a nostalgic walk down memory lane as she spoke about her iconic show Pavitra Rishta during an interactive session with fans on social media.

Hosting an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session, the actress described her journey as Archana as deeply emotional and one of the most cherished phases of her life. She added that while the story remains close to her heart, it has now “gracefully moved forward.”

Responding to a fan who said they still watch the show on YouTube and asked if she would return to it, Ankita shared, “Pavitra Rishta is an emotion. It was one of the most beautiful journeys of my life, and that story has gracefully moved forward. But if Ekta Kapoor ma’am ever plans something, I know my heart will always say yes.”

She also shared a still of her beloved character Archana while replying to the fan.

During the session, another fan asked how she stays strong during difficult times. Ankita responded with a thoughtful note, revealing that she allows herself to feel low moments but leans on faith and resilience to move ahead. Sharing a picture from her visit to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, she wrote, “Bad days come for everyone. I allow myself to feel, then I pray, trust my prayers, and remind myself that no phase is permanent. Faith, family, and self-belief keep me going… one step at a time.”

Produced by Ekta Kapoor, Pavitra Rishta remains one of Indian television’s most loved shows. Ankita’s portrayal of Archana — a simple, family-oriented woman who prioritises her loved ones above all — struck a chord with audiences across the country.

The late Sushant Singh Rajput starred opposite her as Manav, and their on-screen chemistry became hugely popular. It was during the show that the two actors fell in love in real life and were in a relationship for nearly seven years before parting ways in 2017.

Following their split, Sushant moved on to Bollywood, while Ankita took a brief break before returning with renewed energy. She later appeared in films such as Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi and Baaghi 4.

On the personal front, Ankita is now married to businessman Vicky Jain.

With inputs from IANS