Arun Govil: Ramanand Sagar initially rejected me for the role of Lorn Ram

After the severe backlash faced by the Prabhas and Kriti Sanon starrer Adipurush, Ramanand Sagar’s popular Hindi show Ramayan is all set to make a comeback to our television screens. Actor Arun Govil, who played Lord Ram in the series recently spoke about the casting process, revealing that he was not the first choice for the role and was initially rejected from it.

Also read: Arun Govil slams makers of Prabhas-starrer Adipurush; calls it ‘Hollywood ki cartoon’ 

In an interview with ANI, the actor revealed that he started working in 1977 with Rajshri Pictures and Ramanand and approached the director when he started making Ramayan in 1978. He also revealed that after giving auditions, he was initially rejected for the role and was asked to play Bharat or Lakshman instead. The actor later got a call from the makers and bagged the role of Lord Ram in the show.

"From 1977, I started acting with Rajshri Pictures and with Sagar saheb, I also worked in Anand Sagar's directorial Baadal, and I did Vikram Aur Betaal and only then I came to know that Sagar saheb is making Ramayan, so I approached him, I wanted to play the character of Lord Ram. However, working in mythology was not a very standard thing at that time, and I was doing a lot of commercial films. My friends and family said don't do it is not good for you,” Arun said

Adding to that, the actor said, "He (Sagar) took my audition and in the audition, he rejected me. His sons Prem Sagar, Moti Sagar and Anand Sagar asked me to play the character of Bharat and Lakshman, but I said that, 'I want to play the role of Lord Ram and if I am not suitable for it then it's fine', later they selected someone else for the role."

Also read: Arun Govil slams makers of Prabhas-starrer Adipurush; calls it ‘Hollywood ki cartoon’ 

Commenting on his character, Arun said, "This role has given me a lot and what I got is more than what I lost.”

So, how much does he resonate with the character of Lorn Ram? Responding to that, the actor said that he is serious by nature, introverted and calm. He also said that the role changed his life completely and the way this role and show became popular, neither he nor the makers ever thought about it.

“Ramayan is an institution that teaches how to live life and if you take what has been said in this in your life, then life will become very happy and peaceful," he added.

Written and directed by Sagar, Ramayan premiered on Doordarshan in 1978 and the 78-episode series is still appreciated by the audience. The series made a comeback in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic and is set to return to television screens from July 3 at 7.30pm. The show features an ensemble cast including - Arun, Deepika Chikhalia and Sunil Lahri.

The actor is also set to feature next in Akshay Kumar starrer OMG 2.