Ankita Lokhande declines role in 'Student of the Year 3'
What's the story
Ankita Lokhande is on a career-high following her journey on Bigg Boss 17 and her recent appearance in the film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Karan Johar-backed upcoming series Student of the Year 3 could have been one of her next projects, but the actor has turned down the role, per News18 Showsha.
Lokhande is best known for starring as Archana in the popular television drama Pavitra Rishta.
Source's input
The reason behind her decision remains unclear
An insider told the portal, "Yes, Ankita was approached for Student Of The Year 3. I am not sure about the role she was offered but she was definitely asked if she could be a part of the SOTY franchise. However, she has rejected the offer and nobody knows the reason behind her decision."
Details about the rest of the cast members are also scant currently.
Series shift
What we know of 'Student of the Year 3'
The Student of the Year franchise, which was launched in 2012, is set for a digital shift now.
Earlier, Johar confirmed at the Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) in Chandigarh that the third installment will be a web series.
This new direction is a departure from its predecessors which were commercial entertainers.
Reema Maya, known for Nocturnal Burger, will helm the anticipated web series.
A release date is awaited.
Director's Faith
Johar expressed confidence in Maya's direction
Johar has expressed his faith in Maya's ability and directorial chops.
He stated, "It will be her way and definitely not mine because if I'll enter Reema Maya's world, then I will make it more of an illusion, which is what her name means. I just wanted it to be her voice. She made it her own series."
While rumors suggest that Shanaya Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan may feature, official confirmation is still awaited.
Franchise
Revisit the 'SOTY' franchise
The first SOTY starred three newcomers: Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, and Varun Dhawan, out of which Dhawan and Bhatt belong to film families.
SOTY 2, similarly, marked Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria's debuts, while Tiger Shroff played the male lead.
SOTY, directed by Johar, remains culturally important due to its songs, but Punit Malhotra's SOTY 2 sank without a trace.
It remains to be seen how SOTY 3 shapes up.