Ankita Lokhande shared this image. (politeness: ankitalokhande)
New Delhi:
Ankita Lokhande is currently earning praise for her portrayal of Yamunabai in Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, where she plays the lead role opposite Randeep Hooda. In a recent interview with India todayAnkita Lokhande was accompanied by her close friend and producer Sandeep Ssingh, who spoke about her crucial role in his career. Sandeep shared how Ankita came to his rescue during a challenging phase of his career, recalling their friendship dating back to his tenure as CEO while co-producing big films like Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastaniand others.
When the opportunity for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar When he emerged, Sandeep Ssingh said he faced backlash from others due to the media scrutiny he had endured. However, Ankita Lokhande immediately agreed to play Yamunabai in the film, under one condition: that she would not accept payment for her role.
He added, “When I got Savarkar, no one wanted to work with me because I had been through a lot of media trials. They (actors) thought if they work with me, their image (will be tarnished). (As) a friend, a brother, a relative, I went to her house. I never told her that no one wanted to work with me. I just told her, ‘I want you to play Yamuna Bai in Savarkar. She said, ‘Ready. I am Me I’m not going to charge anything for this film.’ I said: ‘Then you will be in all my films.’”
He further credited Ankita as the first person who encouraged him to take up directing. Sandeep talked about Ankita’s unwavering support as she expressed her willingness to act in his films right from the start.
Sandeep said, “She (Ankita) said that ‘Sandeep, ek cheez hai – tum film banaan toh main hi acting karungi (but there is one thing, whenever you make a film, I will act in it)’. I said, ‘ok ‘. When I made Safed, I approached her, but at that time she couldn’t make the film.’
For the unfamiliar, this project is a biopic on freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. In February, the makers announced the release date of the film. Randeep Hooda announced that the film will hit theaters on March 22, 2024. “Two heroes of India’s independence struggle; one celebrated and one removed from history… On #MartyrsDay 2024 – HISTORY IS REWRITTEN #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar IN CINEMAS ON March 22, 2024,” he wrote. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is directed and co-written by Randeep Hooda along with Utkarsh Naithani. Ankita Lokhande and Amit Sial also play pivotal roles.