From dressing up as Archana to recalling working with Sushant Singh Rajput: Ankita Lokhande and Usha Nadkarni relive Pavitra Rishta days on show's 16th anniversary

Ankita Lokhande, who shot to fame with Pavitra Rishta as Archana, celebrated the show’s 16th anniversary in a unique way. The actress shared a vlog from her celebrations on her YouTube channel. From dressing up as Archana to inviting her on-screen mother-in-law Usha Nadkarni at her home for lunch, Ankita celebrated the occasion in a special way. (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

The video started with Ankita waking up at 5:30 and talks about the importance of June 1st in her life. She reveals it was June 1st 2009 when Pavitra Rishta was launched. She further shares that she wants to keep the show alive always in her heart because Pavitra Rishta has given her everything and made who she is today. She says, “Aaj main joh kuch bhi hoon uss show ke wajah se hoon, sab ne bahot mehnat ki thi. I’m grateful to Ekta Kapoor ma’am for giving me Archana’s role.” (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Ankita next gave a sneak peek of behind the scenes of her hair and makeup session as she donned the look of Archana from Pavitra Rishta. She wore a navy blue cotton salwar suit just like her character Archana. On the title track of her show, she enacted some portions and was seen strolling on metro station, temple and roads of Mumbai. (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Ankita changed her outfit and wore a beautiful yellow saree. She opened doors for Usha Nadkarni who was her special guest. Ankita welcomed her warmly and says, “Ye hai meri pehli saas.” She further mentions that onscreen she was always strict with me but in personal life she was very sweet. She especially cooked meal for her. Ankita also shared that husband Vicky Jain is very excited to meet her. Vicky walks in and greets her. He asks her about her Masterchef experience. Ankita calls Usha Nadkarni mirchi and they all share a hearty laugh. (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Usha Nadkarni gets emotional talking about her life. She revealed she stays alone and fears that if ever anything happens to her nobody will be there to help her. She breakdown in tears talking about her brother’s death. She says had he been alive he would come running for her. Ankita assures Usha Tai that she is always there for her and she can call her whenever she needs any help. She comforts her and mentions that she is just one call away. (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Ankita shares that Usha Tai and she never got along with each other. Usha interrupts and adds that but they never fought with each other. They both shares that their behaviour was different back then. Ankita reveals on the last day of the shoot, she especially called Usha Tai and told her that if ever she needs her in life she will be there for her. Ankita calls Usha Nadkarni very strong and punctual. (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Ankita recalls her first day of shoot and mentions that she was very scared. She reveals that it was a scenes where a marriage proposal comes for her. She says, “I was very scared and was waiting mera shot kab aayega. But believe me I’ve learnt watching all of them. Pavitra Rishta is a show which made stars. We used to actually perform household chores like washing clothes to make it more realistic and this Usha Aai taught me. She used to tell me to perform it for real. Today if I don’t do touch up often during shoot is because of her, she used to say if you are crying it should look real.” (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Ankita shared about playing the role of a grandmother on the show and credits Pavitra Rishta for teaching her everything about acting. “Whatever, I’ve learnt about acting is from Pavitra Rishta, there’s no doubt about it. Usha aai, Savita aai they all taught me. Sushant was such a brilliant actor, and he used to help me a lot. When I used to stand in front of all these people, I used to get nervous that how will I perform lengthy scenes. He used to teach me a lot about acting. Woh mujhe bolta tha aise perform kar,” shared she. (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Ankita shared that there was a storyline wherein her character Archana gets injured and Usha Tai, my mother-in-law, starts showing concern. She says, “It was such an emotional track, I’m getting goosebumps. There are many things that I’ve learnt from Usha Aai. She has a way of working and professionalism and I followed it.” (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Ankita revealed an anecdote from the show. She shared, “I learned professionalism from Usha Aai, she used to bring her own clothes and I also started doing it. I remember I also started buying so many sarees for Archana’s role as I felt it was my show. Main yahin se kama rahi hoon, mujhe yahin par kuch dena hai. I used to call a Bengali vendor for sarees and would select it. My entire schooling has been from Usha Aai.” (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)

Usha Nadkarni compares Vicky Jain with Faisu as he pampers her. Ankita mentions that Usha Aai has one laadla on every set. Usha Aai reveals, “Sushant was my ladla on Pavitra Rishta. First was Sachin and second was Sushant. Last day when Ankita called me I got scared but then she said sorry to me and we both hugged and cried.” She jokes Ankita became her ladli on the last day of shoot. (Photo: Ankita Lokhande Vlog)