Actress Ankita Lokhande, renowned for her stint in Bigg Boss 17 and her memorable roles on television, recently revealed a distressing incident involving a South film producer during her early career. Speaking candidly in an interview with Hautterfly, Ankita disclosed that the producer had made advances towards her when she was just 19 years old, asking her to ‘sleep with him’.
Recalling the incident, Ankita shared her casting couch experience while actively pursuing auditions and opportunities in the industry. She recalled auditioning for a South film and receiving a call to sign the contract, expressing her elation but also questioning how she was selected so effortlessly.
While refraining from naming the individual involved, Ankita bravely continued, describing how she was instructed to enter alone to sign the contract, with her coordinator asked to wait outside. She recounted being told, ‘You have to compromise,’ at the young age of 19 while aspiring to become a heroine.
Demonstrating her resolve, Ankita recounted her response, stating, ‘I don’t believe your producer is seeking talent; he’s merely seeking a girl to sleep with, and I am not that girl.’ With that, she walked away from the situation.
Ankita gained prominence for her portrayal of Archana in Ekta Kapoor’s beloved television series “Pavitra Rishta” in 2009, which enjoyed immense popularity and ran for several years, solidifying Ankita’s status as a household name across India.
Following her television success, Ankita ventured into Bollywood, making her debut in Kangana Ranaut’s “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi” in 2019. She also played a significant role in “Baaghi 3” alongside Shraddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff. Currently, Ankita is gearing up for her next project, where she will be seen opposite Randeep Hooda in the highly anticipated film “Veer Savarkar.”