Television actor Ankita Lokhande recently revisited one of the most memorable films of her youth by recreating the much-loved song ‘Bairi Piya’ from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 film Devdas. Wearing a traditional red saree, Ankita performed to the popular track and shared a video of the moment with her followers on social media.
Ankita remembers her Class 11 days
The performance carried a personal meaning for the actress. Along with the video, Ankita reflected on the time when Devdas was released and recalled being a Class 11 student with dreams of moving to Mumbai and pursuing a career as an actress.
She remembered how, as a teenager, she would imagine herself becoming a heroine despite having no idea what the future would hold. Looking back at that period today, Ankita said she feels grateful for the path her life eventually took.
Devdas became part of her childhood dreams
For Ankita, Devdas was more than a successful film. The movie and its music became connected with the aspirations she had while growing up. In her social media post, she described the film as something that stayed with her and became part of her personal journey.
Her recreation of ‘Bairi Piya’ appeared to bring that memory full circle, allowing the actress to revisit a song associated with the dreams she had before entering the entertainment industry.
Pavitra Rishta established Ankita on television
Ankita Lokhande began her journey in entertainment with Zee Cinestars Ki Khoj before making her television acting debut in Ekta Kapoor’s Pavitra Rishta in 2009. She played Archana Deshmukh, a middle-class young woman whose life and relationships formed the central part of the popular television drama.
The show continued until 2014, and Ankita’s portrayal of Archana became one of the most recognised performances of her television career. The role helped her build a strong connection with viewers and established her as a prominent face on Indian television.
She later moved from television to films
After gaining recognition on the small screen, Ankita made her entry into Bollywood with Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi in 2019. She portrayed Jhalkari Bai in the historical film, marking an important step in her transition from television to cinema.
She later appeared in Baaghi 3 and went on to feature in Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Through these projects, Ankita continued to explore different roles beyond the character that had made her a household name on television.
Reality shows added another chapter
Alongside scripted television and films, Ankita has also appeared in reality-based programmes. Her television journey included participation in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa as well as Bigg Boss 17.
Her latest Devdas-inspired performance offered fans another glimpse of her personal connection with cinema. By returning to ‘Bairi Piya’, Ankita not only recreated a well-known song but also looked back at the aspirations she carried as a teenager before her acting career began.