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Arun Govil says he was warned against portraying Lord Ram in Ramayan: ‘If I didn’t do this role, I wouldn’t have lived my life’

Arun Govil, known for playing the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, opened up on the challenges he faced in his career after the show concluded. He also said the role brought him immense love.

By: Entertainment Desk
Chennai | January 22, 2024 12:32 PM IST

3 min read

Arun Govil in a still from Ramayan.

Actor Arun Govil is known for playing the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. Though Arun’s portrayal of Lord Ram became a reference point for generations to come, the actor suffered a set back in his career after concluding the show. In a recent interview, Arun opened up on the challenges he faced after the show and how he was warned against taking up the role of Lord Ram.

Speaking to News18, Arun opened on the massive admiration he received from fans all over the country due to his role in Ramayan. He said, “The level of admiration I have gotten, I am not a normal person. If a normal person would have gotten this much admiration they won’t have their head on their shoulder. I often think what do people see in me? God is giving me all of this and I tell myself to take whatever he gives. He has blessed me a lot. But I have no credit in this, I haven’t done anything, I’m just a medium.”

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Sharing how his career suffered post Ramayan, Arun said, “I was a commercial actor before doing Ramayan. I was doing good work. But after starring in Ramayan, I wasn’t able to do that work. I used to think that this was a mistake. Being an actor, if you are not doing commercial cinema than you are nothing. Also, at that time starring a mythological show wasn’t considered something great. My friends and family members told me, ‘Why are you doing Ramayan? This isn’t graded work, you will get caught in this type of work.’ But I was like, ‘I don’t know. But since I have thought about it, let me to do it.’ I faced a lot of difficulty after that as an actor but I understood it later when I got a lot of love from the audience. I wouldn’t get so much love if I was a commercial actor. Now, I think if I wouldn’t have done this role, I wouldn’t have lived my life.”

Also read | Arun Govil opens up on his deep connection with Ramayan ahead of the grand consecration in Ayodhya

Post-Ramayan, Arun Govil transitioned to films, appearing in movies like Muqabla (1993), Hathkadi (1995), Dhaal (1997), Do Aankhein Barah Haath (1997), among others, predominantly in supporting roles. Currently, Arun Govil, along with Dipika Chikhalia, who played Sita in Ramayan, is in Ayodhya for the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony.