Dipika Chikhlia, renowned for her portrayal of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV series 'Ramayan,' has voiced her concerns over the continuous remaking of the Hindu mythological epic. In a recent interview, Chikhlia expressed her disillusionment with filmmakers attempting to recreate the Ramayan, arguing that such endeavors often lead to a distortion of the original narrative.
Chikhlia believes that the essence of the Ramayan is frequently lost in the quest for novelty. She stated, "Honestly, I am quite disillusioned by people who keep making Ramayan because I don’t think you should be doing it. People are making a mess of it. I don’t think people should be making Ramayan again and again because every time they make it, they want to bring in something new; a new story, a new angle, a new look."
This sentiment stems from her observation that modern adaptations tend to prioritize creative liberties over faithfulness to the source material, resulting in a significant deviation from the original text. Chikhlia particularly pointed out Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana film, which stars Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, as an example of this trend.
She further cited the example of Prabhas’ 'Adipurush,' which faced severe criticism for its portrayal of the Ramayana. "Like for Kriti Sanon, they gave her a pink colored satin saree in ‘Adipurush.’ They gave Saif [Ali Khan who played Ravana in ‘Adipurush’] a different look because they wanted to do something different, creatively. But then what you are doing is you’re spoiling that whole impact of what Ramayan is all about," she explained.
Chikhlia emphasized that tampering with religious texts for the sake of artistic innovation is not advisable. She added, "One should not tamper around with religious texts. I don’t think one should be doing it and just leave it aside. Just don’t do this. There are so many stories that you can talk about besides Ramayan. Speak about a lot of freedom fighters. There’s so much that one can talk about; unsung heroes who were valiant in history for freedom. Why only Ramayan?"
The actress’s critique of modern adaptations is rooted in a deep respect for the traditional narrative of the Ramayan, which she feels is being compromised by contemporary filmmakers. Chikhlia’s portrayal of Sita in the 1980s had a profound impact on Indian audiences, and her views are reflective of her desire to see the epic preserved in its authentic form.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, one of the most awaited films, has a star-studded cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita. The film also reportedly includes Yash as Ravana, Arun Govil, and Lara Dutta as Dashrath and Kaikeyi, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Despite the excitement surrounding the project, Chikhlia’s remarks underscore a broader debate about the responsibilities of filmmakers when dealing with revered texts.
The controversy surrounding 'Adipurush,' directed by Om Raut, serves as a case in point. The film’s release in 2023 was marred by criticism for its portrayal of characters and deviation from traditional depictions, highlighting the challenges filmmakers face in balancing creative expression with cultural and religious sensitivities.
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