'Salaam Walaikum, good morning problem nai hai..': Aashiesh Sharrma SLAMS people OBJECTING Jai Shri Ram chants

Aashiesh Sharma, best known for his stint in 'Siya Ke Ram,' recently made his comeback onscreen with his web show 'Khejdi,' where the actor essays the role of a transgender. While the actor is currently receiving appreciation for taking up a challenging and unconventional role, he also opened up about how he continues to be associated with the stature of Lord Shri Ram even years after playing the iconic character onscreen.

During an exclusive interaction with India Forums, Aashiesh reacted to the ongoing discourse around celebrities responding to chants of “Jai Shri Ram.” We asked the actor about Ranbir Kapoor’s stint as Lord Rama and how netizens have spotted a few instances where he has not reciprocated to chants of “Jai Shri Ram” by paps. Reacting to the same, Aashiesh questioned why the chant is seen as an issue in the first place.

“Mera reaction hai ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Aur mera reaction simple sa hai, why is it an issue? Why is it a problem?” he said.

The actor further explained that for him, greetings like “Ram Ram” or “Jai Shri Ram” are deeply rooted in culture and everyday life rather than religion or politics. “I am saying koi respond kar raha hai ya nahi kar raha hai, it’s a different thing altogether, but I am trying to put forth this that main Rajasthan se hoon. Rajasthan mein sabse common greeting hoti hai ‘Ram Ram sa.’ Koi problem nahi hai. Bachpan se leke buddhe tak sabko humne yehi bola hai, Ram Ram sa, Jai Ram Ji Ki, Jai Shri Ram. Kya problem hai? Why is it a problem?”

I am saying koi respond kar raha hai ya nahi kar raha hai, it’s a different thing altogether, but I am trying to put forth this that main Rajasthan se hoon. Rajasthan mein sabse common greeting hoti hai ‘Ram Ram sa.’ Koi problem nahi hai. Bachpan se leke buddhe tak sabko humne yehi bola hai, Ram Ram sa, Jai Ram Ji Ki, Jai Shri Ram. Kya problem hai? Why is it a problem?

- Aashiesh Sharma

Speaking about how different greetings are commonly accepted in society, Aashiesh added that phrases like “Jai Shri Ram” should also be looked at with the same normalcy.

“Jab hamare liye ‘good morning,’ ‘good evening’ koi problem nahi hai, ‘Salaam Walaikum’ problem nahi hai, then why is it a problem when you greet somebody ‘Ram Ram,’ ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ ‘Jai Siya Ram’? Hamare bachpan se leke marne tak sab kuch isi naam se hota hai. Jab hum kisi ko greet karte hain toh bolte hain ‘Ram Ram,’ aur jab koi mar jata hai toh bolte hain ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai.’ Yahan se leke wahan tak woh naam hai. It’s just part of it. It has nothing to do with religion. It is part of the culture.”

Aashiesh also reflected on how these greetings have always been part of his upbringing and daily life.

“Ye hamari normal day to day life ka hissa hai. Hamare grandparents humein subah subah bolte hain, uthte hi parents ko ‘Ram Ram’ bolo. Hum toh bachpan se yehi bolte aaye hain. So I don’t think it should be an issue. Mujhe issue iss baat se hai ki ye issue kyun hai? Why isn’t it part of our daily lives because it is part of our daily lives. Jab baaki log generally sab kuch bol sakte hain toh agar hum generally ye bol rahe hain toh usmein issue kyun hai?”

Jab hamare liye ‘good morning,’ ‘good evening’ koi problem nahi hai, ‘Salaam Walaikum’ problem nahi hai, then why is it a problem when you greet somebody ‘Ram Ram,’ ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ ‘Jai Siya Ram’? Hamare bachpan se leke marne tak sab kuch isi naam se hota hai. Jab hum kisi ko greet karte hain toh bolte hain ‘Ram Ram,’ aur jab koi mar jata hai toh bolte hain ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai.’ Yahan se leke wahan tak woh naam hai. It’s just part of it. It has nothing to do with religion. It is part of the culture. Ye hamari normal day to day life ka hissa hai. Hamare grandparents humein subah subah bolte hain, uthte hi parents ko ‘Ram Ram’ bolo. Hum toh bachpan se yehi bolte aaye hain. So I don’t think it should be an issue. Mujhe issue iss baat se hai ki ye issue kyun hai? Why isn’t it part of our daily lives because it is part of our daily lives. Jab baaki log generally sab kuch bol sakte hain toh agar hum generally ye bol rahe hain toh usmein issue kyun hai?

- Aashiesh Sharma

Questioning why the phrase is often labelled “sensitive,” the actor said he personally does not understand the controversy around it. “Why is it a sensitive issue? ‘Jai Shri Ram’ bolna sensitive issue hai, bhai kyun hai? It is part of our culture. Hum log har kisi ko greet karte hain, good morning, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Siya Ram, Ram Ram. Kya ho gaya? Problem kya hai? Kuch log ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ bolte hain, kuch ‘Ram Ram’ bolte hain. Usmein problem kya hai? Why is it a sensitive issue? That’s what I’m trying to put forth. Mere liye toh bilkul nahi hai.”

The actor further revealed that saying “Jai Shri Ram” has been part of his life since childhood, whether he was heading to school, a cricket match, an exam, or a shoot.

“Since I was a kid, it has been part of my daily ritual. School ja raha hoon toh bhi, cricket match khelne ja raha hoon toh bhi, exam dene ja raha hoon toh bhi, shoot pe ja raha hoon toh bhi, yehi bolte hain. It has been part of my daily routine since childhood.”

However, Aashiesh admitted that he has noticed a shift in how people react to such greetings over the past few years.

Why is it a sensitive issue? ‘Jai Shri Ram’ bolna sensitive issue hai, bhai kyun hai? It is part of our culture. Hum log har kisi ko greet karte hain, good morning, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Siya Ram, Ram Ram. Kya ho gaya? Problem kya hai? Kuch log ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ bolte hain, kuch ‘Ram Ram’ bolte hain. Usmein problem kya hai? Why is it a sensitive issue? That’s what I’m trying to put forth. Mere liye toh bilkul nahi hai. Since I was a kid, it has been part of my daily ritual. School ja raha hoon toh bhi, cricket match khelne ja raha hoon toh bhi, exam dene ja raha hoon toh bhi, shoot pe ja raha hoon toh bhi, yehi bolte hain. It has been part of my daily routine since childhood.

- Aashiesh Sharma

“But ab pichhle kuch saalon mein, specially last five years, maine notice kiya hai ki jab main kisi corporate meeting ya platform pe jata hoon, log mujhe do minute tak dekhte rehte hain, and I know why they’re doing it. Then they start normally,'' the actor reveals as he speaks about people noticing his 'tilak.'

He concluded by saying that such expressions should feel organic and accepted, especially for those who have grown up with them naturally.

“I know what you mean, but if naturally you’re wired with pride, then I think it becomes accepted because again my point is, jo saamne baithe hain woh kisi aur community ya religion se nahi hain, phir bhi unko issue hota hai. Aur aisa nahi hai ki ye 10 15 saal se ho raha hai. Main bachpan se aisa hoon yaar. Jo log genuinely aisa lifestyle jeete hain woh naturally aise hi hote hain. It has to be okay and organic. That’s all.”

Have a look at the video here: