Ramayan fame Dipika Chikhlia on not being approached for Ranbir Kapoor starrer: 'Not even bothered to speak..'

As a new film adaptation of the Ramayana takes shape under the direction of Nitesh Tiwari, attention has turned once again to earlier portrayals of the epic. The release of the first look featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram has stirred strong memories among audiences who grew up watching Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 television series. That version remains deeply rooted in the cultural memory of viewers, with Dipika Chikhlia and Arun Govil becoming widely recognised as the faces of Sita and Ram.

Speaking to Times of India TV, Dipika Chikhlia reflected on the legacy of the original series and the emotional connection she still holds with it. With Arun Govil returning to the Ramayana story in a different role for the upcoming film, Chikhlia shared her honest reaction. “To see him in a role apart from Ram... I don't know, I mean, see — I have seen him as Ram and I've seen myself as Sita. For me to see him as Dasarath is really a little out of context,” Dipika admitted candidly. “But then I guess that's really his choice. It's very personal as to how people feel.”

Govil will appear in the film as King Dasarath, a significant shift from his iconic portrayal of Ram in the original television version. For viewers who have strongly associated him with the character of Ram, this change has led to mixed reactions. Dipika’s response reflects the same sense of disconnection from seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar role. She also mentioned that she was not contacted by the filmmakers regarding any role in the upcoming adaptation. “I was never approached. I guess they've not even bothered to speak to me about it,” she said, making it clear that she has no involvement in the new project.

I was never approached. I guess they've not even bothered to speak to me about it.

- Dipika Chikhlia

Dipika went on to explain that even if she had been approached, she would have hesitated to be part of another Ramayana production. “Once I played Sita, I don't think I can play any other character in Ramayan. It's something I'm not sure about. If I was doing something in Mahabharat or Shiv Puran, I could give it a thought, but not in a Ramayana film.”

Her reflections suggest that some roles remain so strongly linked to a performer’s identity that stepping into any other part within the same story can feel misaligned.