Exclusive: Ramayan's Dipika Chikhlia on if she was approached for Nitesh Tiwari's magnum opus Ramayana; says ‘I cannot play any character in Ramayan'
For millions, Dipika Chikhlia remains the one and only Sita — a portrayal so deeply etched in public memory that she was revered as a living embodiment of the Goddess.
Speaking exclusively to Times of India TV, Dipika revealed that she was never approached for a role in the upcoming magnum opus. 'I was never approached. I guess they've not even bothered to speak to me about it,' she said.
She further explained her reluctance to be associated with Ramayana in any other capacity.
'Once I played Sita, I don't think I can play any other character in Ramayan. It's something I'm not sure about. If I was doing something in Mahabharat or Shiv Puran, I could still give it a thought, but not in a Ramayana film.'
Dipika Chikhlia's portrayal of Sita was graceful, restrained, and full of devotion — qualities that made her a national icon. Her screen presence and quiet strength struck a chord with viewers of all generations.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
So powerful was her performance that she was often invited to religious events as Sita Maa herself.
Now, as Sai Pallavi steps into the revered role, comparisons are inevitable — but Dipika's legacy remains untouchable. Her role in Ramayan wasn't just acting; it was a spiritual connection shared by millions.
As Ranbir, Yash, and Sai Pallavi take center stage in the new adaptation, audiences can't help but revisit the original — a show where characters weren't just loved, they were worshipped. For Dipika, Sita was once in a lifetime — and always will be.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
14 minutes ago
- Mint
India's most expensive film made at ₹835 cr, VFX & music by Oscar winners; not Kalki 2898 AD, Brahmastra, Adipurush
The budgets of Indian films are steadily rising, now rivalling those of major Hollywood productions. In fact, it's become quite common for Indian movies to cross the ₹ 100 crore mark. Taking this trend to new heights, one film has emerged as the most expensive ever made in Indian cinema, with a whopping budget of ₹ 835 crore, surpassing even big-ticket films like Kalki 2898 AD, Brahmastra, and Adipurush. The most expensive film in India is Nitesh Tiwari's magnum opus Ramayana Part 1. Ramayana is a two-part epic mythological film. It stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Sunny Deol will be seen as Hanuman. Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Arun Govil are also a part of the film's ensemble cast. Kunal Kapoor, Arun Govil, Sheeba Chadha, and Indira Krishnan are also a part of the film. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama last year, Ramayana is being built on a budget of $100 million (around ₹ 835 crore). The film is still under production. With its over ₹ 800 crore budget, it has outpaced the production costs of big-budget films, including Kalki 2898 AD ( ₹ 600 crore), RRR and Adipurush ( ₹ 550 crore each). Brahmastra Part One which previously held the record as Bollywood's most expensive film at ₹ 375 crore, stands nowhere close to Ramayana's budget. Ramayana Part 1 is backed by Namit Malhotra, owner of the global media giant Prime Focus. He is also the CEO of DNEG, the acclaimed British-Indian VFX powerhouse known for its cutting-edge visual effects, which has of eight Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects. Ramayana's VFX work is helmed by DNEG. Besides this, Ramayana also marks the first collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Hans, the two-time Oscar award winner for Best Original Score, is best known for films like The Lion King (1994), Dune (2021) and Christopher Nolan's Interstellar (2014). On Thursday, the first look of Ramayana was unveiled by the makers. The film is scheduled to be released on Diwali 2026. It will be followed by part 2.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
The Kapil Sharma Show fame twins Chinki-Minki part ways; say 'We've decided to explore life on our individual journeys from here on'
The Kapil Sharma Show fame twin sisters Chinki-Minki, who are viral sensations, have decided to part ways. The popular identical twins, officially announced their professional split, leaving fans shocked. The duo took to their social media account on July 3, 2025 and shared a joint post on their official Instagram handle. In the post they revealed that they have chosen to part ways and would now focus on exploring life individually. Taking their IG account, the duo shared, "With a heavy heart, we are now parting our ways as Jodi. We've decided to explore life on our individual journeys from here on." In the caption of their post, the sisters expressed heartfelt gratitude to their fans for the constant love and encouragement. The twin sisters wrote, "The sisters wrote, 'Grateful for everything we've shared and excited for what lies ahead. Keep cheering for both of us with your love and blessings." Chinki-Minki enjoys a massive fan following on social media. They have a following of 12 million on Instagram. Their decision has left their many fans heartbroken and shocked. Chinki and Minki, who were originally named Surabhi and Samriddhi, were born in December 1998 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The duo come from a middle-class family. The twin sisters did their schooling from Mount Abu Senior Secondary Public School in New Delhi. Their passion for acting began around the age of 10, as they actively took part in school dramas and stage performances and gradually developed a strong interest in the craft. Chinki and Minki shot to popularity in 2019 when they made an appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show. The twin sisters played the role of Kapil Sharma's quirky neighbours, the twin sisters captured the audience's attention with their lively performance on the song Piya Piya O Piya. Surabhi and Samriddhi's vibrant energy, playful banter, and sharp comic timing quickly made them fan favourites. Chinki and Minki also appeared in popular shows like College Romance and Hero: Gayab Mode On. In 2022, the twin sisters took on hosting duties for a show titled Twinterview, where they engaged in fun and candid conversations with various celebrities. Archana Puran Singh reveals the real reason behind hiding her marriage with Parmeet Sethi for four years
India.com
23 minutes ago
- India.com
Who is Namit Malhotra? The brain behind Ranbir Kapoor and Yash starrer Ramayana, India's most expensive film, he has won 8...
Finally, after a long wait, the teaser of Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited project Ramayana was released on July 4, 2025. With a reported budget of ₹835 crore, Ramayana is set to be one of the biggest films Bollywood has ever produced. The mythological saga features Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash in key lead roles. While Ranbir will play Lord Ram, Sai will essay the role of Sita, and the role of Ravana will be portrayed by Yash. As the epic saga is set to hit the big screens on Diwali 2026, let's take a look at the man who is the brain behind this masterpiece. Who is Namit Malhotra, Ramayana's Producer? Namit Malhotra comes from a family of film producers and cinematographers. While Namit's father, Naresh Malhotra, was a producer, his grandfather, M. N. Malhotra, was a cinematographer. Namit completed his education in computer graphics and then started his own company called Video Workshop. His co-founders were his teachers from college. Interestingly, the editing studio they created was based out of his father's garage. The company worked on shows like Boogie Woogie, Gaatha, and also provided post-production facilities for Channel V. In 1997, Namit decided to merge Video Workshop with his father's film production and rental business, creating Prime Focus. The company initially offered technological and creative services for television shows and films before expanding into film production with projects like The Hurricane Heist and later Brahmastra Part One. In 2014, Prime Focus merged with Double Negative, a UK-based VFX studio, to form DNEG. The company specializes in visual effects and has worked on films like Blade Runner 2049, Tenet, and the two Dune films. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Namit shared his vision for Ramayana. He said, 'I'm keen to not just make India proud but excite the world about Indian storytelling and really celebrate global cinema together. It's not like we don't like Hollywood films. It's not like we don't see an Oppenheimer and have a great feeling, or a Forrest Gump, or any of these landmark films.' He further added, 'Their stories are universal. I believe this is universal, too. This is that opportunity that I believe I'm pretty fortunate to have received in my life, and I hope I can deliver.'
