Ankita Lokhande, Sushant Singh Rajput in a throwback (courtesy anky1912)

New Delhi:

Actress Ankita Lokhande, who once dated Sushant Singh Rajput, wrote about “hope, prayers and strength” in her latest Instagram post, just a day ahead of Dil Bechara‘s premiere. Dil Bechara will remain Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film – the actor died in Mumbai on June 14. Remembering Sushant, Ankita wrote: “Keep smiling. Wherever you are.” Ankita also shared a photo of a candle in front of a shrine along with the note. Ankita Lokhande and Sushant Singh Rajput shot to fame after co-starring in Balaji Telefilms-produced Pavitra Rishta. Cast as lovers in the show, they dated for six years.

A month after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, Ankita Lokhande lit a diya in front of the shrine and described the actor as “child of god.” The day after Sushant’s death, Ankita Lokhande visited the actor’s family at his Mumbai residence. She could not be at the funeral because of the limit on number of attendees.

Priceless throwback memories of Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande cropped up several times after the actor’s death in tribute posts from the former couple’s friends. Ankita was described as Sushant’s “shock absorber” by Vikas Gupta, who was the creative head of Balaji Telefilms. “Sushant and Ankita were made for each other,” wrote Sushant’s friend Sandip Singh in a note. Mouni Roy also shared an old memory of the two, writing: “Remember?”

Dear Ankita, with each passing day, one thought keeps haunting me over and over again. Kaash… I wish… We could have tried even harder, we could’ve stopped him, we could’ve begged him! Even when you both seperated, you only prayed for his happiness and success… Your love was pure. It was special. You still haven’t removed his name from the nameplate of your house❤️ I miss those days, when the three of us stayed together in lokhandwala as a family, we shared so many moments which bring tears to my heart today…cooking together, eating together, ac ka paani girna, our special Mutton bhaat, our long drives to uttan, lonavala or Goa! Our crazy holi! Those laughs we shared, those sensitive low phases of life when we were there for each other, you more than anyone. The things you did to bring a smile on Sushant’s face. Even today, I believe that only you two were made for each other. You both are true love. These thoughts, these memories are hurting my heart…how do I get them back! I want them back! I want ‘us three’ back! Remember the Malpua!? And how he asked for my mother’s Mutton curry like a little kid! I know that only you could’ve saved him. I wish you both got married as we dreamt. You could’ve saved him if he just let you be there…You were his girlfriend, his wife, his mother, his best friend forever. I love you Ankita. I hope I never lose a friend like you. I won’t be able to take it.

A post shared by Sandip Ssingh (@officialsandipssingh) on Jun 19, 2020 at 8:44am PDT

Dil Bechara, also starring Sanjana Sanghi, is all set to premiere on Disney+Hotstar on July 24.