Veteran actor Arun Govil, who remains eternally beloved for his iconic portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's legendary television series 'Ramayan', is set to appear in a new cinematic adaptation of the epic. In Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated film 'Ramayan', Govil will take on the role of King Dashrath, while Ranbir Kapoor steps into the divine shoes of Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi embodies Goddess Sita.
Arun Govil Endorses Ranbir Kapoor's Portrayal
As excitement builds for one of Indian cinema's most awaited projects, some fans have expressed reservations about whether Ranbir Kapoor can do justice to the revered character of Lord Ram. However, Arun Govil, whose performance set a cultural benchmark in the 1987 TV classic, has now shared his supportive perspective. In a recent interview with PTI, Govil expressed confidence in the new adaptation and its lead actor.
"The Ramayana by Nitesh Tiwari looks very good," Govil stated. "It has been made with a lot of hard work by Nitesh Tiwari, the actors and the entire team. The main actor Ranbir Kapoor is looking very good as Lord Ram. He is a good actor and good human being."
The Essence of Portraying Divinity
Govil elaborated on what he believes are essential qualities for convincingly playing a deity on screen. He emphasized that technical acting skills alone are insufficient for such sacred roles. "To play a God, you've to have a good, pure soul, and you have to be a good human being also," he explained, highlighting the spiritual dimension required for such portrayals.
The veteran actor also addressed the inevitable comparisons that will arise between his legendary portrayal and Ranbir Kapoor's new interpretation. Reflecting on the enduring legacy of Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, which featured Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, Sunil Lahri as Laxman and Dara Singh as Hanuman, Govil acknowledged that such comparisons are natural when a standard has been established.
Visual Authenticity and Divine Appearance
"Comparisons are always made when a standard is set and no one should feel bad that I'm being compared," Govil remarked philosophically. He then focused on a crucial aspect of playing divine characters: "I believe that in order to play the role of God, you should look like that. The look is very important. When people see you, they should see God in you, and think, 'God can be like that'."
This emphasis on visual authenticity and divine appearance underscores the unique challenge of adapting mythological epics for contemporary audiences while maintaining their spiritual essence.
Distinguishing Between Adaptations
Interestingly, Govil also drew a clear distinction between Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming 'Ramayan' and last year's controversial adaptation 'Adipurush' starring Prabhas. "There is a lot of difference between Ramayana and Adipurush," he noted succinctly, without elaborating further, leaving audiences to anticipate how Tiwari's vision will differ from previous interpretations.
Star-Studded Cast and Anticipation
The film's casting has generated significant buzz, with 'KGF' superstar Yash reportedly set to portray the antagonist Ravana, adding another layer of star power to this ambitious project. As one of the most anticipated movies in Indian cinema, Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayan represents a massive undertaking that aims to honor the epic's cultural significance while introducing it to new generations.
Arun Govil's endorsement carries particular weight given his permanent association with Lord Ram in the Indian cultural consciousness. His transition from playing the divine prince to portraying King Dashrath in this new adaptation creates a meaningful continuity between different interpretations of the Ramayana across generations of Indian storytelling.
