Ankita Lokhande Emotional Tribute to Late Father: 'Miss You Every Breath'
Synopsis
Ankita Lokhande shared a tearful Instagram tribute to her late father Shashikant Lokhande, who passed away in 2023, urging followers to cherish their parents while they can. Her raw message — 'I miss you every single breath I take' — moved fans and sparked a nationwide conversation about love, loss, and the bonds that define us.
Key Takeaways
Ankita Lokhande shared an emotional tribute to her late father Shashikant Lokhande on Instagram Stories on April 25, 2025 .
Shashikant Lokhande passed away in 2023 after a prolonged battle with health issues.
Ankita urged her followers: "Love your parents when they are with you — otherwise you will only have regrets." She is currently appearing on "Laughter Chefs Fun Unlimited" alongside her husband Vicky Jain and a star-studded cast.
Ankita rose to fame through "Pavitra Rishta" and has appeared in Bollywood films including "Manikarnika" ( 2018 ) and "Baaghi 3" ( 2020 ).
A digital revival of "Pavitra Rishta – It's Never Too Late" aired from September 2021 with Ankita reprising her iconic role as Archana.
Ankita Lokhande, one of India's most beloved television actresses, shared a deeply emotional tribute to her late father Shashikant Lokhande on Friday, April 25, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram that moved fans across the country. The 41-year-old actress, who lost her father in 2023 following prolonged health complications, said she misses him with every single breath — a raw, unfiltered expression of grief that resonated with millions.
Ankita's Emotional Instagram Post
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Ankita shared a throwback photograph of herself warmly embracing her late father. The image captured a tender, intimate moment between the two — a snapshot of a bond that clearly defined her deeply.
"I miss u every single breathe I take!!" wrote Ankita alongside the photograph, her words carrying the unmistakable weight of irreplaceable loss.
She followed the post with a message directed at her followers: "Love u parents when they are with u otherwise trust me u will only have regrets afterwards." The message, though brief, struck a chord with fans who flooded social media with supportive responses.
Why This Moment Matters Beyond Celebrity Grief
Ankita's message arrives during a period when conversations around mental health, family bonds, and grief are gaining increasing visibility in India. Her willingness to publicly express vulnerability — rather than maintain a curated, cheerful social media persona — reflects a broader cultural shift among public figures choosing authenticity over image management.
Notably, Ankita has faced significant personal loss and public scrutiny over the years, including the tragic passing of her former co-star and rumoured ex-partner Sushant Singh Rajput in June 2020. Her ability to continue working and sharing her personal journey speaks to a resilience that her audience has consistently admired.
This comes amid a growing trend of Indian celebrities using social media not merely for promotions but as platforms for genuine human connection — a shift that digital wellness advocates argue is both healthy and socially impactful.
Ankita and Vicky Jain on Laughter Chefs
On the professional front, Ankita Lokhande and her husband Vicky Jain are currently appearing together on the latest season of "Laughter Chefs Fun Unlimited", a popular celebrity cooking-comedy show. The new edition features an ensemble cast including Arjun Bijlani, Karan Kundrra, Elvish Yadav, Jannat Zubair, Krushna Abhishek, Kashmera Shah, Nia Sharma, Abhishek Kumar, and Samarth Jurel.
The show marks one of the few times Ankita and Vicky have appeared together on screen as a couple, giving fans an unscripted look at their chemistry and camaraderie.
Ankita Lokhande's Journey: From Pavitra Rishta to Bollywood
Ankita made her acting debut with the iconic role of Archana Manav Deshmukh in "Pavitra Rishta", a show that became a cultural touchstone in Indian television. The series, an adaptation of the Tamil television show "Thirumathi Selvam", also launched the career of the late Sushant Singh Rajput.
She subsequently appeared in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 4 and Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur, establishing herself as a versatile performer beyond the daily soap format.
Her Bollywood debut came in 2018 with Kangana Ranaut's historical epic "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi", based on the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai. She followed that with a role in Sajid Nadiadwala's blockbuster action franchise film "Baaghi 3" in 2020, starring alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, and Riteish Deshmukh.
Following Sushant Singh Rajput's passing in June 2020, the original "Pavitra Rishta" was rebroadcast, reigniting nostalgia among viewers. A digital revival titled "Pavitra Rishta – It's Never Too Late" aired from September 2021, with Ankita reprising her role as Archana alongside Shaheer Sheikh as Manav.
Looking Ahead
As Ankita Lokhande continues to balance her television commitments with personal milestones, her candid expression of grief serves as a reminder that public figures, too, navigate the universal human experience of loss. Fans and industry peers alike are expected to continue rallying around her as she keeps her father's memory alive. With "Laughter Chefs Fun Unlimited" currently airing, audiences can expect more glimpses of Ankita's warm personality — even as she privately carries the weight of absence that only a parent's loss can leave behind.
Point of View
Her unfiltered grief is both rare and refreshing. What the mainstream narrative misses is the compounding nature of her losses — a father, a former co-star, years of public scrutiny — and yet she continues to channel pain into purpose. Her message to 'love your parents while they're here' is not just personal advice; it's a public health reminder in a country where intergenerational emotional expression remains deeply undervalued.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ankita Lokhande's late father?
Ankita Lokhande's late father was Shashikant Lokhande , who passed away in 2023 after battling health issues. Ankita has frequently expressed her grief over his loss on social media.
What did Ankita Lokhande post about her father on Instagram?
Ankita shared a throwback photo embracing her late father on her Instagram Stories on April 25, 2025 , writing 'I miss u every single breathe I take.' She also urged fans to love their parents while they are still alive.
What show is Ankita Lokhande currently appearing in?
Ankita Lokhande and her husband Vicky Jain are currently featured on "Laughter Chefs Fun Unlimited" , alongside stars like Arjun Bijlani, Karan Kundrra, and Elvish Yadav.
What was Ankita Lokhande's first TV show?
Ankita Lokhande made her acting debut in the popular TV show "Pavitra Rishta" , where she played Archana Manav Deshmukh . The show also featured the late Sushant Singh Rajput and was adapted from the Tamil series "Thirumathi Selvam."
What Bollywood films has Ankita Lokhande acted in?
Ankita made her Bollywood debut in "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" ( 2018 ) alongside Kangana Ranaut , followed by "Baaghi 3" ( 2020 ) with Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor .
