Mumbai, (IANS)| The line between real and reel-life was often blurred between Ankita Lokhande and the late Sushant Singh Rajput’s characters ‘Archana’ and ‘Manav’. The TV serial ‘Pavitra Rishta’ started airing in 2009. Sushant, the main lead of the show, passed away on June 14 last year. As the new season of the show ‘Pavitra Rishta 2.0’ is set to release, Sushant’s actress, girlfriend and co-star Ankita says she is trying to keep Sushant’s memory alive through the show and believes That Sushant must be feeling proud of them.
Ankita told IANS that what our fans saw between ‘Manav’ and ‘Archana’ was love. Maybe that’s why the chemistry between the two characters seemed so magical. When Sushant and I started working for the show, everything was made in a very organic way. You cannot create such magic by force. What the audience saw between me and Sushant was pure love.
“When I went back to the sets to shoot for the new season of the show, a thousand things were going through my mind. I am living with ‘Pavitra Rishta’ and all its memories for the last 12 years. But this time, when I Went back on the sets, knowing that Sushant is not with me, it is difficult to describe how I was feeling. I don’t know if anyone will understand my state of mind, but I will never be able to explain it in words.
After this Ankita started crying bitterly. Ankita further said that but I always feel that Sushant is watching all of us, the way we are making the show and I know that Sushant must be very proud of me. ‘Manav’ was created by Sushant and I am trying to keep his legacy alive through the show. Look, no one can replace his presence, be it Sushant or ‘Manav’, the way he breathed life into that character.
“I’m sure the chemistry I shared with Sushant can never be shared with anyone, but we can make another ‘human’, right? When Sushant and I started working together We didn’t know how our on-screen ‘jodi’ would be accepted, but it did happen. I hope the same will happen in the new season as Shaheer is a good actor and he is working hard.”
The new season of ‘Pavitra Rishta 2.0’ will release on ZEE5 on 15 September. Shaheer Sheikh will play the character of ‘Manav’ in the new season. Insensitive media coverage, media trials, constant trolling on social media and unwanted toxic atmosphere after Sushant’s sudden death last year affected everyone associated with Sushant including Ankita as she was also trolled on social media.
When asked how she explains the whole situation when she looks back, Ankita replied that when I go back to those old episodes, I see myself and Sushant together, definitely I go through a lot of emotions, ups and downs. Love is still there and it always will be. I still break down every now and then but I know I have to grow with the experience and thank God for at least giving me a chance to live the life I am living.