Dipika Chikhlia reacts to being remembered as Sita from ‘Ramayan’ for over three decades

Mumbai, June 27 (IANS) Actress Dipika Chikhlia, who immortalised the role of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series ‘Ramayan’, says she is extremely grateful and calls it her greatest blessing to be recognised as Goddess Sita, even after more than three decades of the show’s first airing.

She added that the fact that audiences continue to remember and love her as Sita even after more than three decades, makes her count her blessings and be overwhelmed.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS while promoting her upcoming film ‘Tera Mera Nata’, Dipika reflected on the timeless appeal of ‘Ramayan’ and why people continue to connect with the epic across generations.

When asked about being remembered as Sita even today, Dipika said, “Yeh mera saubhagya hai ki mujhe aisa kirdar nibhaane ka mauka mila. Logon ne mujhe bahut pyaar diya aur sweekar kiya. Ramayan ek aisi kahani hai jo har yug mein naye andaaz mein sunayi ja sakti hai. Pehle bhi bani hai, aage bhi banti rahegi, kyunki uski buniyad aastha aur moolyon par tikki hui hai.”

(It is my good fortune that I got the opportunity to portray such a character. People have showered me with immense love and accepted me wholeheartedly. ‘Ramayan’ is a story that can be retold in every era in a new way. It has been made before and will continue to be made because its foundation rests on faith and values)

Speaking about why ‘Ramayan’ continues to remain relevant even today, she shared:

‘Ramayan ko duniya ke behtareen screenplays mein maana jaata hai. Iske har kirdar mein seekh hai. Ram ek adarsh putra, pati aur bhai the. Sita ji ek adarsh patni, bahu aur beti thi. Lakshman ji bhi apne kartavya aur samarpan ke prateek the. Is kahani mein positivity hai aur isi liye log ise baar-baar dekhna aur samajhna chahte hain.’

(Ramayan is considered one of the greatest screenplays in the world. Every character in it offers a life lesson. Lord Ram was an ideal son, husband and brother. Sita was an ideal wife, daughter-in-law and daughter. Lakshman symbolised duty and unwavering devotion. The story is filled with positivity, and that is why people want to watch it and understand it again and again)

For the uninitiated, talking about Ramayan, the iconic TV show starred Arun Govil as Lord Ram, Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, Arvind Trivedi as Ravan Dara Singh as Hanuman and Dipika Chikhlia as Goddess Sita.

Ramayan was a superhit shoe in the 80s era.

Fans would watch the show devotedly, almost believing the actors to be real deities and would offer their prayers to the actors as if praying to Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

Talking about Dipika, the actress will next be seen in ‘Tera Mera Nata’, in which she stars alongside Suraj. The film revolves around emotional relationships and has been promoted as a heartwarming, family-oriented drama.

–IANS

rd/