||Ankita Lokhande FC||

On December 19 in a thus far unknown year in the 1980s, Ankita Lokhande, affectionately called Mintu, was born to a Maharashtrian family settled in Indore.  Bubbly and talkative, she dreamed from a young age to be in the world of glamour, frequently recalling a Pepsi ad featuring Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji which made her long to be an actress.  Yet, being from a traditional middle class family, Ankita decided to study commerce and was made to enroll in an airhostess course.

Her luck turned around when she was selected to be a part of Zee Cinestars ki Khoj in 2004 and she set off to Mumbai to pursue her passion in the show.  Although she didn't win the competition, she won the Best Dancer award and gained valuable knowledge and experience of how to navigate the entertainment industry.  She went under the radar from the world of acting for four years after, doing print modeling and even walking the ramp for renowned designer Vikram Phadnis.  Ankita was then selected to play the lead role in NDTV Imagine's Bali Umar Ko Salaam, but the show did not materialize even after promos were shot.  With constant support from her family members, who realized her dedication towards her passion, she landed the lead role in Zee TV's Pavitra Rishta, under the Balaji Telefilms banner, as the character of Archana Karanjkar.  Although shocked initially because she went to give the audition in a simple avatar sans make-up, the reality and magnitude of the situation dawned in June 2009 as the show went on air and received much acclaim.