Dipika Chikhlia, who remains iconic for her portrayal of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s legendary 1987 TV series Ramayan, has finally spoken out about the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the epic directed by Nitesh Tiwari. Despite her lasting legacy as Sita, Dipika revealed that the team behind the new film never contacted her in any capacity. Read to know more details,
Dipika Chikhlia On Arun Govil Playing Dasharath In Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana
In a recent interview, as reported by News18, Dipika said she was completely left out of the loop. “They didn’t approach me at all,” she shared, expressing surprise and disappointment. “It seems like no one even thought of talking to me.” What raised even more eyebrows among fans was the casting of Arun Govil, who famously played Lord Ram alongside Dipika in the original,l now taking on the role of King Dasharath in Tiwari’s version.
Dipika admitted it felt odd to see him in a new role within the same mythology. “I’ve always seen him as Ram,” she explained, adding that it’s difficult to accept him as another character in the same universe. For Dipika, once an actor becomes associated with such an iconic role, that identity sticks both with the actor and the audience. “If you’ve played Ram once, you remain Ram in people’s minds,” she said. She also made it clear that even if she had been approached for a role in the new film, she wouldn’t have accepted anything other than Sita.
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However, the actor isn’t entirely opposed to returning to mythology on-screen. She expressed interest in playing characters in other epics like the Mahabharat or Shiv Puran, if offered roles that resonate with her. Meanwhile, the new Ramayana film has already generated significant buzz. With Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman, the first look was unveiled globally on July 3. Titled Ramayana: The Introduction, the film promises a visually grand retelling of the ancient epic, backed by top global talent and Oscar-winning creators.