Mumbai, September 5 — Bollywood actress Dipika Chikhlia, best known for playing Sita in the iconic mythological TV series Ramayan, shared a special throwback video from her filming days. The nostalgic BTS clip takes fans back to the set of the legendary show, which was directed by Ramanand Sagar.
In her post, Dipika asked fans if they could recognize anyone in the video. Ramayan, which first aired in 1987, remains one of India’s most beloved TV shows. The series captured millions of viewers’ hearts, making stars out of its cast. Arun Govil played Lord Ram, Sunil Lahri was Lakshman, Arvind Trivedi portrayed Ravan, Dara Singh was Hanuman, and Dipika Chikhlia brought Sita to life.
The show originally aired on Doordarshan, the then-rare national TV channel, every Sunday evening. It became a cultural phenomenon, with entire streets turning towards their TV sets to watch the epic story unfold. After a year, Ramayan went off air in 1988 but has continued to hold a special place in Indian viewers’ hearts. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Doordarshan re-telecast the series, attracting huge audiences once again.
Dipika Chikhlia’s journey didn’t end with Ramayan. After her role as Sita, she acted in Hindi and regional films like “Rupaye Dus Karod” and “Ghar Ka Chiraag.” She later entered politics and served as a Member of Parliament from Vadodara in 1991. Recently, she also appeared in movies like “Bala,” starring Ayushmann Khurrana, alongside Yami Gautam and Bhumi Pednekar.
Tragically, on August 31, veteran filmmaker and Ramanand Sagar’s son, Prem Sagar, passed away at his Mumbai home at the age of 81. A renowned producer, director, and cinematographer, Prem Sagar’s death marked the end of an era. His son, Shiv Sagar, shared that Prem Sagar had been diagnosed with colon cancer a month earlier and was undergoing treatment. He returned home on Saturday and passed away peacefully on the fifth day of Ganesh Chaturthi, coinciding with Radha Ashtami – making it a poignant moment for the family.
This news reminds us of the timeless magic of Ramayan and the talented artists behind it, including Dipika Chikhlia and Prem Sagar, whose work has left an indelible mark on Indian television and cinema.
