Jul 23, 2026 10:30am IST
Deepika Chikhalia on Sai Pallavi in ‘Ramayana’: ‘She’s a phenomenal actor, but I don’t know how she’ll look as Sita’ (EXCLUSIVE)
As anticipation builds around Nitesh Tiwari’s “Ramayana,” actor Deepika Chikhalia, who immortalized the role of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series, shares her thoughts on the film’s casting. In a conversation with Variety India, she reflects on Sai Pallavi stepping into the role of Sita, her own journey with “Ramayan,” and why she believes the legacy of the original series will be difficult to surpass.
What do you think of Sai Pallavi as Sita?
I have seen her work. She’s a phenomenal actor. But I don’t know how she’ll look like Sita. Once we see her, we’ll know. At the moment, I have no clue. The description of Sita in Tulsidas’ “Ramayan” was that of a woman with almond eyes, a certain height, hair and skin. That’s what Ramanand Sagar was looking for, and he saw it in me. I know all of them are good actors. If they fit the bill, then it’s good.
Do you recall your first day on the set of ‘Ramayan’?
My first day on “Ramayan” was not as Sita. I was Goddess Lakshmi. We did that one episode for Doordarshan for seven days. I was only pressing Lord Vishnu’s feet for those seven days. I didn’t know what the show’s future would be. Papaji (Ramanand Sagar) said that if this gets approved, “Ramayan” will be made. That’s what it was.
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Arun Govil, who played Lord Rama opposite you in the TV serial, is playing King Dashrath in ‘Ramayana.’ What are your thoughts on it?
We’re known for what we are. I’m known as Sita. Sometimes, people forget my name, but they remember that I played Sita. So, that’s my identity. I don’t know why anybody would want to lose that. Of course, as an actor, you want to play different roles. Nobody wants to get typecast. I think our “Ramayan” will weigh very heavily on the “Ramayana” film. Our “Ramayan” was also watched by the new generation when it aired on Doordarshan during the pandemic. So, it’s very difficult to erase that. Sitaji with curly hair is not mentioned in “Ramayan.”
What changed for you after you played Sita?
I didn’t get any work. In fact, I’m asking people for work even now. Ranbir has acted in “Barfi,” “Sanju” and “Animal,” and now he is playing Lord Rama. That’s the beauty of today’s time. It wasn’t like that during our days. We all got typecast. It’s still very tough to get work because people can’t see me as anyone else. That’s why I got into production.
What would be your message to Nitesh Tiwari, the director of ‘Ramayana’?
All these are talented people. I’m sure it will be a film people want to watch at least once. The crux of “Ramayan” was that every actor who played that character fit the bill. That, along with Ravindra Jain’s music, was the reason behind the success of “Ramayan.”
What do you think of Yash as Ravan?
I’ve seen a little bit of Yash’s work. I’m sure he’ll be dynamic. But the thing is that erasing the old “Ramayan” will be very difficult. Also, it’s very recent. Had the film come out 50 years later, people would have forgotten Ramanand Sagar’s “Ramayan” and the cast. Right now, it’s still very fresh in their minds.
What’s that one thing you learned from ‘Ramayan’?
“Ramayan” taught me that nothing can buy you success except hard work and good luck. When we started “Ramayan,” it was a regular television series. I was doing “Dada Daadi Ki Kahani” and “Vikram Aur Betaal.” But “Ramayan” turned out to be phenomenal. I realized that you have to put in the hard work; there’s no doubt about that, but God’s blessings are also important.
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