Ramayana is probably the most viewed mythology TV serial in India. It was aired during 1987-1988. The serial was created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. Those days, people used to buy television sets for watching Ramayan on Doordarshan (DD) channel. Many people used to offer aarti as soon as the serial started and after ending the serial they used to distribute ‘Prasad’.
As we know that India, at the moment, is under complete lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic which has taken away the livelihood of millions of people. It has put the entire world in a lockdown.
Amid the nationwide lockdown, people are getting bored at home. They have nothing to do as they can not step out of their houses. People have urged the government on social media platforms to bring back Ramayan. Earlier, a complete lockdown was implemented for 21 days to check the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, after which Twitter was flooded with messages asking for reruns of Ramayan and B R Chopra’s Mahabharat.
Ramayan has always been a source of inspiration and knowledge for many people. Now, it is being re-telecast on Doordarshan (DD) after over three decades on the demand of people amid nationwide lockdown.
Today, we will talk about the lead actors of Ramayan Arun Govil, Dipika Chikalia and Sunil Lahri who played Ram, Sita and Lakshman respectively in the serial.
Arun Govil (Lord Ram):
Arun Govil is well known for playing Lord Rama in Ramanand. A picture of Arun Govil, who played the role of Ram in ‘Ramayana’ serial, is doing the rounds on social media. In the picture, the veteran actor can be seen watching ‘Ramayana’ with his family members. Arun Govil, now 71, revealed that there was point of time when he felt “itchy by just seeing the costumes.” He says, “According to me, this is the best time to bring the story of ‘Ramayana’ back to the people.”
The show also featured Deepika Chikhalia and Sunil Lahri as Sita and Lakshman respectively and first aired in 1987.
Deepika Chikhalia (Goddess Sita):
Deepika Chikhalia, 54, revealed that she became so identified as Sita even off screen that people rarely greeted her with “hi or hello”; instead, they always bowed down before her with folded hands.
As we know that Sita was abducted by Ravana and was kept in “Ashok Vatika” till Ram
It is said that Sita was replaced by Maya Sita before being kidnapped, while real Sita was protected by Agni (the fire god).
Sunil Lahiri (Lord Laxman):
Sunil Lahiri, who plays Laxman in the show, says – for the past few months, many requests were made by people for re-telecast ‘Ramayana’. My social media handle has received several requests for bringing back Ramayan. Whenever I received any such message, I would forward Ramanand Sagar’s grandson Shiv Sagar.
Finally, the most awaited day has arrived. It gives us immense pleasure, but at the same time, it is also a good thing for the country because the show will help people learn something, Lahiri said. “This show is going to refresh my old memories when I will see myself on the screen,” he further said.
