The late nineties famous television serial based on the epic ‘Ramayan’ will return to television on July 3, on the auspicious occasion of ‘Guru Purnima’. The serial will air on Shemaroo TV from 7:30 pm onwards.
The return comes days after the public anguish on Prabhas-starrer ‘Adipurush’. Before the release of the film, the makers claimed that it is based on the epic Ramayan. With blunders such as missing gold from Golden Lanka to Trikund Tilak from Ravan’s forehead, from missing sindoor from Sita’s forehead to the missing moustache of Hanumanji, the film had a number of flaws. And hence it is witnessing backlash and boycott calls by the audience. The box-office collection of the film also suggests that it has been flopped.
On the occasion, Arun Govil, a veteran actor who portrayed the role of Bhagwan Ram in the show, said “Ramayan has a positive impact on our lives. I would suggest everyone to watch it. Ramayan is an institution that teaches us how to live life…,” he added.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Govil revealed that he began his acting career with Rajshri Pictures and Ramanand Sagar in 1977. “When I got to know that Sagar Saheb is making Ramayan, I myself approached him because I wanted to play the character of Bhagwan Ram,” he revealed.
He added that “working in mythology” was not a very common practice during that time. “I did a lot of commercial films. My friends and family said don’t do it is not good for you,” he said.
Surprisingly, he revealed that he wasn’t the first choice for the character of Bhagwan Ram. Ramanand Sagar, the creator of Ramayan, initially rejected him after the audition. However, destiny had other plans, and Arun Govil was eventually selected for the role. Reflecting on the experience, the actor shared that playing Bhagwan Ram had a big impact on his life.
“His [Ramanand’s] sons Prem Sagar, Moti Sagar, and Anand Sagar asked me to play the character of Bharat and Lakshman, but I said that, ‘I want to play the role of Bhagwan Ram and if I am not suitable for it then it’s fine’, later they selected someone else for the role,” Govil added.
However, destiny intervened once again, and the role eventually landed in Arun Govil’s lap.
“The atmosphere in our house was definitely religious, we used to do puja daily, in the evening everyone used to do aarti and my mother used to say ask me to read Ramayan and that time we used to read it, but its impact was not so deep as we were young,” he said.
Speaking about the character he played, Govil said, “I am serious by nature, introverted and calm also. So, have a few traits which are similar. This role changed my life completely and the way this role and show became popular, neither I nor the makers ever thought about it”.
“Ramayan is an institution that teaches how to live life and if you take what has been said in this in your life, then life will become very happy and peaceful,” he said.
When asked about playing similar roles, he said, “This role has given me a lot and what I got is more than what I lost.”
The show, Ramayan, was a massive hit, featuring Arun Govil as Bhagwan Ram, Dipika Chikhlia as Mata Sita, Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, Late Dara Singh as Hanuman Ji, and Arvind Trivedi as Ravana. Arun’s portrayal of Bhagwan Ram garnered immense popularity, making him an iconic figure in Indian television history.
Besides, Arun Govil is currently hosting a show titled, Suno Shri Ram Kahani, where he narrates the story of Ramayan. He will also be seen in the upcoming movie, OMG2.
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