Dipika Chikhlia, who famously portrayed Sita in Ramanand Sagar's 1987 "Ramayan," has voiced her opinion on the casting of Arun Govil as King Dasharath in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming "Ramayana" film, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. Chikhlia admitted that she finds it difficult to accept Govil in this new role, stating that it feels "a little out of context".

Govil, renowned for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the same 1987 series, is now set to play the father of Lord Ram, King Dasharath, in the forthcoming cinematic adaptation. The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has generated considerable buzz, particularly surrounding Ranbir Kapoor's first look as Lord Ram. However, the casting of Govil as Dasharath has sparked mixed reactions, with Dipika Chikhlia expressing her reservations.

In an interview with the Times of India, Chikhlia explained her perspective. "To see Arun in a role apart from Ram…I don't know," she said. "I have seen him as Ram and I've seen myself as Sita. For me to see him as Dasharath is really a little out of context". She emphasized the difficulty in breaking established images, noting, "It's very difficult to break images. I mean, if you played Ram, then you are Ram". While acknowledging that Govil's decision to take on the role of Dasharath was a personal one, Chikhlia reiterated the challenge of dissociating him from his iconic portrayal of Lord Ram.

The 1987 "Ramayan" holds a special place in the hearts of many Indians, with Chikhlia and Govil forever etched in their minds as Sita and Ram. The series continues to be cherished, making it difficult for viewers to accept the actors in different roles within the same epic.

Chikhlia also revealed that she was not approached for any role in the new "Ramayana" film. "I was never approached. I guess they've not even bothered to speak to me about it," she stated. When asked if she would consider being part of the project, she said, "Once I played Sita, I don't think I can play any other character in Ramayan". She clarified that while she wouldn't take on another role in "Ramayana," she would be open to acting in projects based on other epics like "Mahabharat" or "Shiv Puran".

Nitesh Tiwari's "Ramayana" is reportedly being made on a budget of ₹1600 crore and is expected to be released in two parts, with the first part arriving in theaters in 2026. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana.