Sunil Lahiri Shares Emotional Memory with Dara Singh's Gift from Ramayan Era
In a nostalgic moment that delighted fans, television actor Sunil Lahiri, best known for his iconic role as Laxman in the legendary series Ramayan, revealed a special gift from the late actor Dara Singh. On Wednesday, Lahiri posted a video on his social media, showcasing a classic brown briefcase that Singh had presented to him approximately 36 years ago.
The Story Behind the Priceless Briefcase
In the video, Lahiri spoke in Hindi, with his words translating to English as: "Greetings, friends. Looking at this briefcase, you must be thinking that I'm going somewhere. No, I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here with you. There's a story behind this briefcase that I want to share." He elaborated that he received this gift around 35–36 years ago during the filming of Ramayan, when Dara Singh, who played Hanuman, gave it to him in Africa, specifically in Nairobi, Kenya.
Lahiri teased an intriguing backstory, stating, "There's a very interesting story connected to it. I'll share that story in my next post. Till then, take care of yourself. Stay happy, stay healthy. Jai Ram." For the caption, he wrote: "A gift given by the great Dara Singh ji means Hanuman ji, which I have since last 35-36 years, gift has no value, it is priceless." This heartfelt message underscores the sentimental worth of the item, far beyond any monetary measure.
Ramayan's Enduring Legacy and Cultural Impact
For those unfamiliar, Ramayan remains one of the most iconic television shows in history. Airing in 1987 on Doordarshan, it ran for a year until 1988 and featured a stellar cast that became household names:
- Arun Govil as Lord Ram
- Sunil Lahiri as Lakshman
- Arvind Trivedi as Ravan
- Dara Singh as Hanuman
- Dipika Chikhlia as Sita
The show's broadcast every Sunday would bring streets to a standstill, as viewers flocked to TV sets, which were rare in the 1980s era. Its popularity was so immense that the cast received massive fan followings and great success post-airing. In a testament to its timeless appeal, Ramayan was retelecast on Doordarshan during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, running for over two months and captivating a new generation of audiences.
This revelation by Sunil Lahiri not only highlights a personal treasure but also rekindles memories of a show that defined an era in Indian television, bridging past and present through shared cultural heritage.
