Pavitra Rishta 2: Ankita Lokhande On Shaheer Sheikh Stepping Into Sushant Singh Rajput's Shoes, 'He Is The Perfect Choice, A Star Can't Play Manav'- EXCLUSIVE
With Shaheer Sheikh reprising the role of Manav in Pavitra Rishta 2, here is what the leading actress Ankita Lokhande has to say about this change
Ankita Lokhande is all set to reprise her role as Archana Deshmukh in the digital sequel of her show Pavitra Rishta 2, ZEE 5 where Shaheer Sheikh has replaced the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput as Manav. Though fans are excitedly waiting for the launch of the episodes, fans of Sushant is heartbroken with the fact that they won't be able to see their favourite star in the show.
Also, with Shaheer stepping into his shoes for playing the male lead Manav, varied reactions are being seen on the social media. However, when we asked Ankita what she feels about Shaheer playing the character. Here is what she told us. ALSO READ: Shaheer Sheikh's FIRST INTERVIEW On Stepping Into Late Sushant Singh Rajput's Shoes In Pavitra Rishta 2: My First Thought Was, 'Mujhe Accept Hi Nahi Karenge Log'- EXCLUSIVE
Talking to SpotboyE.com exclusively Ankita said, "I know people are so connected to Sushant and Archana-Manav. But let me remind you Hiten Tejwani had also played the character of Manav in the earlier season for some time. And people loved our chemistry also. I think when we speak about Archana-Manav then it is the love between those two characters. It is not Sushant-Ankita or Ankita-Shaheer." ALSO READ: Pavitra Rishta 2 CASTING Alert: Randeep Rai And Asheema Vardhan Join Ankita Lokhande And Shaheer Sheikh In The Digital Reboot - EXCLUSIVE
She went on to say, "When Shaheer came onboard to play Manav I was really happy. Because he has that innocence. A star can't play Manav. When you look at Shaheer he can look like an ordinary man. He has that thing where he can look like a mechanic. I was very sure about him playing the character. He has that thing in his eyes where you can connect to his soul. He is a perfect choice for Manav I think Sushant ke alava agar koi Manav play kar sakta tha to vo Shaheer hai."
Earlier while receiving flak on replacing Sushant on the show, Shaheer Sheikh had posted, "When I was first approached for PR2, I was taken aback. Who in their right frame of mind would dare to play a character immortalised by Sushant Singh Rajput. I too was reluctant. Then I thought, knowing Sushant he was one to take every challenge head-on. And so I decided that while it is scary to step into his shoes & live up to audience expectations… it is scarier to NOT even try. And so I did what I felt he would do if he was in my position. I took the challenge. When the team told me they wanted someone who was earnest so that we could all tell a story that was a fitting homage to Sushant’s legacy… I decided to give it my all and leave the rest to the audiences and to The All-Mighty.’
He had further added, ‘Working with a team that loved & respected him immensely only adds to the genuine intent in all our hearts. Sushant, you will always be Manav. Nothing can change that & no one can replace that.
I may not be as good, and I may not do justice to it as you did, but I promise to give it my all."
Image source: Instagram/lokhandeankita/sushantsinghrajput
