From partying in trackpants during Pavitra Rishta days to her bond with Laughter Chefs co-stars; Ankita Lokhande on building relationships, beauty and more

In an honest conversation with Rubina Dilaik on her podcast, Ankita Lokhande opened up about her personal and professional life. From growing up without realizing she was beautiful to attending clubs in trackpants during her Pavitra Rishta days, Ankita shared her thoughts on beauty, family support, and lasting friendships. She also revealed how she connects deeply with her Laughter Chefs co-stars and how she values relationships both on and off screen.

“For me, beauty has never been that I am very beautiful. No one has ever made me realize that I’m beautiful,” Ankita Lokhande admitted while reflecting on her childhood. She recalled asking her grandfather if she was pretty, only to be told humorously, “Not at all, you look like a monkey.” She shared, “I always compared myself with other girls. She has a nose, I have a nose. She has eyes, I have eyes. Then why am I different?” She confessed that only after entering the entertainment industry did she understand that beauty isn’t about appearances, but about how you present yourself. “Our industry doesn’t make us beautiful, it teaches us how to present ourselves well. That’s what I believe. Everyone is beautiful in their own way,” Ankita emphasized.

Talking about beauty running in her family, Ankita smiled and said, “My mom, dad, everyone looks good. Even my grandma. My entire family does.” But beyond good looks, Ankita believes personality matters most. “More than beauty, it’s your personality that counts. That’s what I feel and that’s what stays with people after you’ve left. A face fades but your kindness and how you make someone feel, that’s remembered forever. Looks can attract, but personality holds people close.”

Recalling her carefree attitude during the Pavitra Rishta days, Ankita revealed, “We used to go clubbing after shoots and unlike most girls who dressed up, I would simply wear a track pant and a t-shirt, without makeup, just wearing my bangles.” She laughed, saying, “People come to clubs to get clicked and look glamorous, but I believed in enjoying the purpose of the moment. For me, going to a club meant dancing and having fun, not showing off.” This candid approach, she said, helped her stay real and grounded even during her early fame.

“My mom, dad, nani, maasis, brothers, sisters – they’ve always been my backbone,” Ankita said, reflecting on the role her family has played in her journey. She emphasized that having a strong family has kept her emotionally stable throughout her career. “I always say, never leave your parents. No matter how big you become, they are your foundation.” She added, “People come to Mumbai to chase dreams, but it’s your family that keeps your heart steady amidst the chaos.”

Ankita recalled an incident involving a young girl from Kashmir whom she met on a shoot. “Her phone battery had died, and I asked her if she had informed her mom. When she said no, I scolded her like an elder sister. I told her – your mother is sitting miles away, worrying about you. Wherever you are, you must call her and let her know you’re safe.” She added, “Our parents send us to cities like Mumbai with dreams and trust. It’s our duty to keep them emotionally secure. Even today, when my phone switches off, I borrow someone else’s to call my mom.”

“For me, family isn’t only about blood relations. You build your family even at work,” Ankita shared when asked about her equation with co-actors. “I don’t force relationships. I choose my people carefully. Once I connect, I’ll go to any length to protect that person, even when they aren’t around. That’s who I am. My relationships last for years. Bonds I built early in my career are still strong today. When I build something, I give it 100%.”

Speaking fondly of her Laughter Chefs co-stars, Ankita said, “I’ve built individual relationships with each one of them – Ali, Samarth, everyone. I don’t need too many people around me, but I value genuine connections.” She revealed that she created a WhatsApp group for everyone to stay connected, adding, “For me, relationships are pure. Even after 16 years in the industry, I cherish bonds like family. Once I connect, that relationship stays with me forever.”