‘Ramayana’: Arun Govil reveals, ‘It took me three months to say yes’ to playing King Dashrath (EXCLUSIVE)

Arun Govil has completed a historic full-circle journey by portraying King Dashrath in Nitesh Tiwari’s “Ramayana.” Nearly four decades ago, Govil became a household name and a cultural icon by playing Lord Rama in Ramanand Sagar’s legendary 1987 television series. In this new cinematic adaptation, he transitions from playing the son to portraying the father, King Dashrath, the ruler of Ayodhya. The film also stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Interestingly, because Govil also played Lakshman in the 1997 film “Lav Kush,” Govil holds the unique distinction of being the only actor to have portrayed Ram, Lakshman and Dashrath. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, he talks about his latest role and more. Excerpts: 

Are you basking in the adulation for your role as King Dashrath?
Well, the adulation has been there all the time. But I am a bit surprised by the feedback. Normally, people like things that are very loud. But people have understood the sensitivity of this character.

It’s what you would call a delicate performance.
Would you believe it, I didn’t want to do it at all. Frankly speaking, I didn’t feel the need for it when it was offered to me. But then, these people were so insistent. Nitesh Tiwari was so adamant. ‘No, sir, you have to do it.’ It took me almost three months to say yes. They were after me. It came to such a situation that they started saying that it was very easy to sign Yash and Ranbir. But it was very difficult to sign Dashrath. So, finally, I said yes.

It couldn’t have been difficult for you to play Dashrath.
It wasn’t. In my mind, the character (Dashrath) was already planted since I played Rama. Even at the time of Rama, Dashrath was comprehensible to me. To understand Ram’s emotions, Dashrath’s emotions were there in front of me. Besides being the father of a 46-year-old son in real life, the paternal emotions came naturally to me.

You just said that it is very difficult to appreciate subdued performances. So, how did you decide to keep it that way?
Dashrath is not an ordinary father. He is a king. He has to maintain decorum even when his heart is breaking, even when his beloved son is banished.

You’ve peaked from Lord Rama to Laxman to Dashrath. But that Laxman experience in Padmalaya’s ‘Lav Kush’ was not very pleasant, was it?
It didn’t go down well at all. I had told the Padmalaya people I didn’t want to do that. Not too many years had passed since “Ramayan.” I told them I wouldn’t be accepted as Laxman so soon after Rama, especially since Jeetu Bhai (Jeetendra) was playing Rama.

You’ve appeared in a movie with your Sita, Dipika Chikhlia?
Yes, a film (with Dipika Chikhlia) released on Waves OTT on November 6. It’s a film called “Notice.” It’s a social film about a common, principled man fighting to save his shop.

But what was it like working with Dipika again?
Normal.

What do we see you in next?
I haven’t said yes to anything after “Ramayana.” I don’t feel like doing anything routine.