Ankita Lokhande, born on December 19, 1984, in Indore, India, is a prominent Indian actress known for her impactful roles in television and film. She was born into a Marathi family to Shashikant Phadnis, a banker, and Vandana Phadnis, a teacher. After completing her education in Indore, she moved to Mumbai in 2005 to pursue her passion for acting. Ankita gained fame for her role as Archana in the popular television series "Pavitra Rishta," which aired from 2009 to 2014. Her performance earned her numerous accolades and established her as a household name. In addition to her television work, she made her film debut in 2019 with "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi," where she portrayed Jhalkaribai. She also appeared in the action film "Baaghi 3" in 2020. Ankita was previously in a long-term relationship with actor Sushant Singh Rajput from 2010 until their breakup in 2016. She later announced her engagement to businessman Vicky Jain in June 2020 and married him on December 14, 2021.