TV actress Ankita Lokhande has finally bagged her debut Hindi film which is none other than Kangana Ranaut-starrer ‘Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi’. The film is a biopic on Rani Laxmibai. Ankita plays the main supporting female lead Jhalkaribai. The actress also admitted that she regrets turning down Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’.
When asked why she didn’t want to work two years ago she replied, “Actually, I wasn’t lazy but I was too tired of working at the time. I thought ki thoda break lete hain and I’ll see what I wanted to do. Now, I’m doing a film and I’m really happy. I didn’t want to stay away from work. But, I realised I was done with my vacation and needed to get back. And I’m enjoying it now.”
Does she regret turning down ‘Padmaavat’? “Of course, I do regret it. Meri bewakoofi thi that I couldn’t do the film. I did not reject him or the movie. I genuinely wanted to do it but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get back to work at that point of time. You need to be responsible towards your work. I do feel I missed out on a great opportunity. He is Sanjay Leela Bhansali, after all! I hope he forgives me (laughs).” The filmmaker offered the actress another film after that, “Yes, but again I messed up (laughs)! This might be my last chance to work with him if he offers me a film again.”
Talking about ‘Manikarnika’ she said, “It’s a woman-oriented film and that appealed to me. Plus, we have all read about Rani Laxmibai as part of Indian History. But when I was asked to play Jhalkaribai, I didn’t really know who she was. When producer Kamal (Jain) sir and director Krish sir narrated the script to me, I found out that she was Rani Laxmibai’s right- hand woman and almost her replica who would disguise as the Queen in front of the British. So, I realised I had an opportunity to portray an unspoken hero, a warrior, and an integral part of Indian History. I’m sure I will play the typical Hindi film heroine and have my song and dance routines in future. But something like Manikarnika would never come back to me. And to debut with something like this, I’d say I’m lucky.”
Talking about her role in the film she said, “There was no reference material at all. But the way the character was narrated, I made a sketch in my head; my version of how she must have been — brave, confident and sabki band bajaane wali (laughs). She is exactly how I am in real life. So, maybe, I played this character with my own thought process.”
She further said, “We are supposed to play what we are not. So, I’d rather play something I’m not. For 'Manikarnika', I’ve learnt horse riding and sword fighting, so I have gone out of my comfort zone.”
The actress was offered the protagonist’s role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films but here you are a supporting lead. Wasn’t that a risk? “I don’t think about things like that. Sridevi started off with a supporting character in ‘Julie’. After that, she became a heroine and then a superstar. So the motivation is always there. You do ask yourself if you’re going wrong somewhere but you inspire yourself. Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the shortest roles initially, but look at him now. So, instead of seeing the negative side, I’d like to look at things positively. Ab toh kar li film. Now, it’s up to people and how I have fared in the film.”
Talking about Kangana she said, “It was amazing. Kangana is a nice human being — lovable and caring. We bonded off the sets, too. She is very professional and completely into her character all the time. I feel she is what she is. I could connect with her because I’m the same, too. Plus, she works hard and is good to others on the sets.”
On talking about women-oriented films, the actress said, “Men need to change their mentality. Talent has nothing to do with gender. If you’re making a good film, you should always support that. Shah Rukh (Khan) and Aamir (Khan) have done it, so it’s a progressive thing for sure. There’s no shame in working in a space where you are secondary to a woman. That’s again a mindset that men usually have. But it’s changing now. People are looking for great scripts and are enjoying characters more than being bothered about whether it’s the hero or heroine.”
When asked if the actress wishes to do masala films she said, “I want to do masala movies. I love the Bollywood films that we are known for. I love the whole song and dance act. Mujhe sari pehenke baarish mein naachna hai — something like ‘Tip Tip Barsa Paani’ (laughs).”
When asked if the actress has signed ‘Malang’ film with Sanjay Dutt, she said, “You will get to know soon! I don’t know about Malang. Let the producers talk about it.”
