Ankita Lokhande, who rose to fame with TV serial Pavitra Rishta, will soon be seen sharing screen space with Kangana Ranaut in her film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. Ankita will be essaying the character of Jhalkaribai in the film.
Talking about her role in the film, Ankita in an interview with Mumbai Mirror said, ‘’People only know Jhalkaribai as a warrior and a replica of Rani Lakshmibai, and that made the role doubly challenging. When I discussed my scenes with Danny sir (Danny Denzongpa), he advised me to do it my way and today I believe she must have been someone like me."
Ankita also talked about her experience of working with Kangana and said, ‘’She’s sweet with me like she is with everyone else on the sets. We’ve practised together and she has helped me many times and also appreciated my scenes and dancing skills. When you are new and someone like Kangana supports you, it really means a lot.”
Meanwhile, Ankita also revealed that earlier she was offered a film by Padmaavat director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She said, ‘’I love Sanjay sir and he lauded my talent and urged me not to waste my time. But I missed out on the opportunity. I would feel bad if something like this (hinting at Padmaavat) happens with our film given how much research we have done. If something happens tomorrow we will stand by the film.”
Apart from Ankita and Kangana, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi also features Sonu Sood, Jisshu Sengupta, Nihaar Pandya and Atul Kulkarni. The film is scheduled to release on 27 April 2018.
