EXCLUSIVE: Ankita Lokhande opens up about helping Shaheer Sheikh nail the essence of Manav in Pavitra Rishta 2

Ankita Lokhande and Shaheer Sheikh are all set to bring back the Archana and Manav magic on-screen with Pavitra Rishta 2. But it is no secret that the fans are having their apprehensions about Shaheer stepping into the shoes of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Looks like Shaheer has had a lot of help from his lovely co-star Ankita who revealed in an exclusive chat with us that she helped Shaheer nail down the essence as Manav. The actress had revealed that she was stunned at times on set by how similar Shaheer looked to Manav.

When we asked Ankita if she helped Shaheer get the essence of Manav just right, Ankita said, “Yeah, he asked me many times. What happened is, I wasn’t shooting and I just come on the sets when Shaheer was filming. He was doing some scene where he was crying and there was this reaction when I was seeing that shot. Me and Nandita were sitting and we both loked at each other in shock. Because he was looking exactly like Sushant somewhere. That body language- something was there of Manav.”

Ankita further added, “There was this connection between me and him. When he was not even selected for the part and the rumours were going on. I just wanted him. I dont know why because we were never friends and didn’t know each other but there was this purity. Like a promise which was in Shaheer’s eyes. That simplicity. When he came on the sets, I saw one scene and told him that ‘Shaheer you’re doing a fantastic job. For me you are Manav. I can see Manav in you’. He was like ‘Sach bata do’. But yeah, there were a few things that I told him about and he was very open to understand that.”

Check out the full conversation below:

Also Read: Pavitra Rishta 2 new poster: Ankita Lokhande and Shaheer Sheikh are set to embark on a ‘forever’ journey