Dipika Chikhlia, who famously played Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic 1987 TV series ‘Ramayan’, recently shared her thoughts on Arun Govil’s casting as Dasharath in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming ‘Ramayana’ film.
An Iconic Pairing’s Perspective
For millions, Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayan’ holds a special place. The series made stars out of its lead actors, Arun Govil as Ram and Dipika Chikhlia as Sita, who became synonymous with their divine characters.
So, when news broke that Arun Govil would portray Dasharath, Ram’s father, in the new ‘Ramayana’, it sparked curiosity. Dipika Chikhlia admitted to the Times of India that she finds it “a little out of context” to see her on-screen Ram in this new role.
The Weight of an Image
Dipika explained that after embodying Ram for so long, it’s hard to imagine Arun Govil as anyone else within the ‘Ramayana’ universe. “I have seen him as Ram and I’ve seen myself as Sita,” she stated. “For me to see him as Dasarath is really a little out of context.”
While acknowledging that taking the role was Arun Govil’s personal choice, she emphasized the difficulty of breaking such a deeply ingrained image. “If you played Ram, then you are Ram,” she remarked, highlighting the lasting impact of their original performances.
Dipika’s Own Stance
Beyond Arun Govil’s casting, Dipika Chikhlia also expressed disappointment about not being approached for the new film herself. She shared that no one from the production team had reached out to her.
Even if she had been offered a role, Dipika revealed she wouldn’t have accepted it. She feels she can’t portray any character other than Sita in ‘Ramayana’, having already immortalized the role. However, she remains open to acting in projects based on other epics like ‘Mahabharat’ or ‘Shiv Puran’.
About the New ‘Ramayana’
Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated ‘Ramayana’ is set to be a grand spectacle. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and South superstar Yash as Ravana. Ravi Dubey plays Laxman, and Sunny Deol will be seen as Hanuman.
The film’s music is in the capable hands of two legendary composers: Hollywood’s Hans Zimmer and India’s own A.R. Rahman. This cinematic venture is also making headlines for its massive budget, reportedly the most expensive Indian film ever made.
With an estimated production cost of Rs 1,600 crore, the ‘Ramayana’ will be released in two parts. The first installment alone is said to account for Rs 900 crore, with Rs 700 crore allocated for the sequel.
- Dipika Chikhlia finds Arun Govil’s casting as Dasharath “out of context” due to his iconic portrayal of Ram.
- She believes it’s very difficult to break the image of an actor who played such a significant role.
- Dipika herself was not approached for the new film and would not take any role other than Sita in ‘Ramayana’.
- The new ‘Ramayana’ features Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Sunny Deol, with music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
- It is reportedly the most expensive Indian film ever, with a budget of Rs 1,600 crore across two parts.
As excitement builds for Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious retelling, the comments from the original Ramayan cast add another layer to the enduring legacy of this epic tale.
