Actress Ankita Lokhande says she chose Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi starring Kangana Ranaut because she wanted to do something which was acting and performance-oriented. Asked why she chose this film as her debut film even though she is not playing the lead, Ankita told IANS here: "I'm more into characters and acting oriented things. How does it matter if I do a film which is heroine basic film and I am not just there and its a hero film and I am standing here and there and dancing. I didn't want to make a debut with something like that.

"I never planned also. But I knew that I want to do something acting oriented". Ankita said that even if she is onscreen for even 15 minutes, she should be "visible, and noticed by people".