Latest news with #Ramayan


News18
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Debina Bonnerjee On Rejecting Shows After Motherhood: 'TV Is A Commitment Forever'
Debina Bonnerjee also clarified that Gurmeet Choudhary has nothing to do with her being away from the screen. In fact, he is the one who always pushes her to get back to work. Debina Bonnerjee is all set to make her television comeback and will reunite with her husband, actor Gurmeet Choudhary, after a decade. The two, who tied the knot in 2011 and are parents to two daughters, will soon be seen in Pati Patni Aur Panga. Ahead of the show's premiere, in an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Debina opened up about her comeback and expressed excitement. 'It would be fun. After a very long time, we would both be doing something together. It's always fun to be with your partner, do something with your partner. So after a long time, we got the scope to do something together, and we thought, 'yeah, it should be fun. Let's do it'," she told us. The actress admitted that she decided to sign this show also because she thought that it might leave her some room to spend time with her daughters too. 'Whenever I was getting offers, I thought, 'Oh my God, it's like a commitment forever'. TV is like a commitment forever. You never know for how long you might be occupied. It is like being away from home, from kids for hours, not able to meet them. This is why I was also delaying (comeback)," she said. Debina revealed that she rejected a lot of projects earlier because the sets were too far or the number of hours makers wanted her to shoot would have impacted her daughters' parenting. 'The moment I heard where the sets are or about other requirements from me, I took a back step. Because by the time I would have returned home, my kids would have been asleep. Children cannot grow up on sets. It is not healthy," she shared. The 42-year-old actress, who rose to fame after playing the role of Sita in the television show Ramayan, explained that it is not easy to be a working mother. 'It is not equal. First of all, your body acts differently after you become a mother. You have to work doubly hard mentally. You do not get enough sleep. You constantly feel like you cannot leave your child; you have to take time for yourself also. Acting is not a 9-5 job. I have worked for 24 hours. I have seen Gurmeet also doing it. Last year, he was shooting for two shows. He was hardly at home. He could do it because I was at home. I am not sure if I can do what he was doing, where I do not know when I will return home," she said. However, Debina also clarified that Gurmeet has nothing to do with her being away from the screen. In fact, he is the one who always pushes her to get back to work. 'I somehow feel that Gurmeet comes across as a very supportive partner. He never asked me to stay at home. I did not leave home to shoot, but I have been shooting continuously from home. I think I have evolved into a content creator now. Time changes everything. I am very comfortable in this space also. Gurmeet has also been very supportive throughout. He is doing this show (Pati Patni Aur Panga) for me. He wants me to come back. He is the most supportive partner anybody would say," she said. First Published: July 22, 2025, 09:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


India.com
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Sunil Lahri was to play Shatrughna in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, but a twist of fate made him Lakshman, here's the untold story
As the buzz grows around Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming ₹4000-crore Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, many fans are reminiscing about the original classic—Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan. Arun Govil as Ram, Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, and Sunil Lahri as the fiery, loyal Laxman left a mark so deep, it still feels unmatched. But did you know that Sunil Lahri was never the original choice for Laxman? He was supposed to play Shatrughan. How did Sunil Lahri end up as Laxman? In an interview with Laughing Colours, Sunil Lahri revealed that during the auditions for the show, he was initially selected for the role of Shatrughan. He shared, 'I was selected for Shatrughan. However, I also said that if I do it, it will be the role of Laxman. I neither wanted to play Ram nor Shatrughan nor Bharat.' But at that point, the role of Laxman had already been given to actor Shashi Puri. Sunil recalls the moment that changed everything. One day, while crossing the road after a shoot at Nagi Villa, a car almost hit him and braked sharply. It turned out to be Ramanand Sagar himself. Sagar called him to the office later and said, 'You wanted to play the role of Laxman, so you do that role. I want you to do it.' Sunil, taken aback, requested two days to think. What happened to the original Laxman? Sunil then called Shashi Puri, who was originally cast as Laxman and had already shot several episodes. Shashi, unsure about the show's future, told him, 'You do this role because I'm leaving.' This handover sealed the deal. Sunil accepted the offer, and what followed was the most iconic role of his career. From a reluctant audition to nearly missing the part, Sunil Lahri's journey to becoming Laxman was pure serendipity. And while Ravi Dubey is all set to bring Laxman to life again in the 2025 version, it's safe to say, Sunil Lahri's Laxman still lives in every Indian household.


India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Leave Sunny Deol, how much money Dara Singh got for playing Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayana, it was Rs...
Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayan will release on Diwali 2026. At its first glimpse, fans were delighted to see the look of Shri Ram and Ravana. Nitesh Tiwari's film will be released in two different parts. The second part will release on Diwali 2027, whose budget is approximately 700 crores. At the same time, 835 crores have been spent on the first one. With this, the total budget becomes 1600 crores. Ranbir is making crores by becoming Lord Ram, Yash by becoming Ravan and Sunny Deol by becoming Hanuman. But did you know how much fee Late Dara Singh got for playing Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar's historical epic 'Ramayan'? How much did Dara Singh charge for portraying Lord Hanuman? Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan' started on 25 January 1987. It ran till 31 July 1988. When the show came on TV, people would stand with their hands folded. This is the Ramayan, whose many characters were worshipped by people like God, but Dara Singh, who played Hanuman in the show, did not want to do this role initially. Ramanand Sagar made a professional wrestler play Hanuman in 'Ramayana'. When Dara Singh got this role, he was 62 years old, so he refused Ramanand Sagar and said that a young man should be found for this role. But according to his stature, he was persuaded with great difficulty. The way he played this role, no amount of praise is enough for it. According to reports, Dara Singh got a fee of 35 lakh rupees for 'Ramayan.' How much is Sunny Deol charging for Namit Malhotra's Ramayana? Sunny Deol is also charging a hefty fee for playing 'Hanuman'. According to reports, he is getting 40-45 crores. Which is less than his market fee. He charges up to 50 crores for a film, but this time it seems that he has reduced his fee for this film. More about Dara Singh Starting around 1963, he frequently collaborated with Mumtaz, appearing together in 16 Hindi films. This duo became the highest-paid B-grade actors, with Singh earning nearly four lakh rupees for each film. His final Hindi film was Jab We Met, while his last Punjabi film, released before his health issues, was Dil Apna Punjabi. On July 7, 2012, Singh was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital after suffering a severe heart attack. Just two days later, it was revealed that he had sustained brain damage due to insufficient blood flow. He was discharged from the hospital on July 11, 2012, with the grim prognosis that nothing could be done to extend his life, and he passed away the following day at his residence in Mumbai.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CM: Fake social media a/cs being used to spark caste tensions
1 2 Varanasi: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday hailed tribal communities as the foundation of Indian civilization and warned against rising attempts to incite caste conflict through fake social media accounts, calling for immediate action to stop such divisive agendas. Speaking at a seminar on tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda at Vasant Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Varanasi, the CM said those who seek to defame the kanwariyas are the same people who tried to separate the tribal community from India. Underscoring the importance of social harmony, the CM emphasised that the Kanwar Yatra embodies unity transcending caste, creed and sect. "Today, the yatra is progressing peacefully and with devotion, yet some label it as unruly. These are the same forces that try to mislead and provoke tribal communities. We must remain alert to such divisive elements," he warned. "They (divisive elements) conspired at every level to make them fight against India. This is the same community that always insults the faith of India and these are the same people who today want to create a situation of caste conflict by creating fake accounts on social media platforms," Yogi said. Taking a firm stance against divisive forces, the CM condemned the attempts to fuel caste and communal tensions through fake social media identities. Recalling a specific incident, he said, "A few years ago, there was a case of arson. I had remarked then that such an act likely didn't belong to any particular community. The investigation later confirmed that the person involved was wearing a saffron scarf, but was shouting 'Ya Allah'. These deceptive individuals must be exposed and excluded from society if we are to protect national unity." He cited another incident from Jaunpur, where a huge Tazia was constructed in violation of safety norms and came into contact with a high-tension wire, tragically claiming three lives. "Following this, an attempt was made to block roads and create unrest. I instructed the police to take strict action. Those disrupting social harmony must understand that peace and order are paramount," he asserted. He added that the same forces who spread caste-based hatred online had also tried to provoke tribal communities against the nation. "Such elements must face strict action," he asserted. Yogi said that tribal society has always been the bedrock of India's Sanatan tradition, highlighting its enduring role in defending the nation and safeguarding cultural values across eras. He hailed tribal communities as the foundation of Indian civilization and warned against rising attempts to incite caste conflict through fake social media accounts, calling for immediate action to stop such divisive agendas. Referring to the Ramayan, he said, "When Lord Ram was in exile and mother Sita was abducted, it was the tribal community that stood by him, despite the absence of Ayodhya's army. Similarly, Maharana Pratap reorganised his army in the forests of the Aravalli Range with the support of tribal groups and resisted emperor Akbar. Chhatrapati Shivaji, too, relied on the 'vanvasi' (forest dwellers) society to lay the foundation of the Hindavi Swarajya. " Yogi hailed Birsa Munda as a key figure of India's national awakening, asserting that tribal communities have consistently played a vital role in protecting India's spiritual and cultural legacy. "While we often associate the struggle for Independence with recent history, the tribal society has been fighting for Sanatan Dharma through every age," he said. Acknowledging past shortcomings, the CM said previous govts failed to extend governance and essential services to the tribal communities. "Where communication breaks down, conflict begins," he said, adding, "After 2017, our govt granted revenue village status to tribal villages, places that didn't have voting rights since 1947. We ensured delivery of ration cards, land leases, pensions, and development schemes to tribal regions in Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Mirzapur, and the Terai areas bordering Nepal. " Describing the tribal society as the true embodiment of India's Sanatan tradition, Yogi said, "Tribal communities live in complete harmony with nature, reflecting the essence of Vedic teachings in their everyday lives. We often worship trees and rivers, but do not hesitate to exploit or encroach upon them. In contrast, tribal society has lived the message of the Vedas, coexisting with nature rather than exploiting it. " Yogi emphasized that Indian tradition has never confined Hindu identity to temple visits or scriptural belief. "Both the believer and the non-believer are Hindus. Charvak and Lord Buddha did not accept the Vedas, yet they are deeply respected in our tradition. Then why question the identity of tribal communities in the context of Hinduism?" he wondered. Praising PM Narendra Modi for declaring Nov 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day), the CM said the move has instilled a sense of respect and recognition in tribal communities. "They are our original society. Tribal Pride Day is a gesture of gratitude and a bridge of communication with them," he noted. He added that the state govt has ensured 100% saturation of welfare schemes among marginalised communities, such as the Kol tribe, which is deeply rooted in the legacy of Lord Ram.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Fake social media a/cs being used to fan caste tensions: CM
1 2 Varanasi: CM Yogi Adityanath on Friday hailed tribal communities as the foundation of Indian civilization and warned against rising attempts to incite caste conflict through fake social media accounts, calling for immediate action to stop such divisive agendas. Speaking at a seminar on tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda at Vasant Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Varanasi, Yogi said those who seek to defame the kanwariyas are the same people who tried to separate the tribal community from India. Underscoring the importance of social harmony, he said the Kanwar Yatra embodies unity transcending caste, creed and sect. "Today, the yatra is progressing peacefully and with devotion, yet some label it as unruly. These are the same forces that try to mislead and provoke tribal communities. We must remain alert to such divisive elements," he warned."They (divisive elements) conspired at every level to make them fight against India. This is the same community that always insults the faith of India and these are the same people who today want to create a situation of caste conflict by creating fake accounts on social media platforms," Yogi said. Taking a firm stance against divisive forces, the CM condemned the attempts to fuel caste and communal tensions through fake social media identities. Recalling a specific incident, he said, "A few years ago, there was a case of arson. I had remarked then that such an act likely didn't belong to any particular community. The investigation later confirmed that the person involved was wearing a saffron scarf, but was shouting 'Ya Allah'. These deceptive individuals must be exposed and excluded from society if we are to protect national unity." He cited another incident from Jaunpur, where a huge Tazia was constructed in violation of safety norms and came into contact with a high-tension wire, tragically claiming three lives. "Following this, an attempt was made to block roads and create unrest. I instructed the police to take strict action. Those disrupting social harmony must understand that peace and order are paramount," he asserted. He added that the same forces who spread caste-based hatred online had also tried to provoke tribal communities against the nation. "Such elements must face strict action," he asserted. Yogi said that tribal society has always been the bedrock of India's Sanatan tradition, highlighting its enduring role in defending the nation and safeguarding cultural values across eras. He hailed tribal communities as the foundation of Indian civilization and warned against rising attempts to incite caste conflict through fake social media accounts, calling for immediate action to stop such divisive agendas. Referring to the Ramayan, he said, "When Lord Ram was in exile and mother Sita was abducted, it was the tribal community that stood by him, despite the absence of Ayodhya's army. Similarly, Maharana Pratap reorganised his army in the forests of the Aravalli Range with the support of tribal groups and resisted emperor Akbar. Chhatrapati Shivaji, too, relied on the 'vanvasi' (forest dwellers) society to lay the foundation of the Hindavi Swarajya. " Yogi hailed Birsa Munda as a key figure of India's national awakening, asserting that tribal communities have consistently played a vital role in protecting India's spiritual and cultural legacy. "While we often associate the struggle for Independence with recent history, the tribal society has been fighting for Sanatan Dharma through every age," he said. Acknowledging past shortcomings, the CM said previous govts failed to extend governance and essential services to the tribal communities. "Where communication breaks down, conflict begins," he said, adding, "After 2017, our govt granted revenue village status to tribal villages, places that didn't have voting rights since 1947. We ensured delivery of ration cards, land leases, pensions, and development schemes to tribal regions in Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Mirzapur, and the Terai areas bordering Nepal. " Describing the tribal society as the true embodiment of India's Sanatan tradition, Yogi said, "Tribal communities live in complete harmony with nature, reflecting the essence of Vedic teachings in their everyday lives. We often worship trees and rivers, but do not hesitate to exploit or encroach upon them. In contrast, tribal society has lived the message of the Vedas, coexisting with nature rather than exploiting it. " Yogi emphasized that Indian tradition has never confined Hindu identity to temple visits or scriptural belief. "Both the believer and the non-believer are Hindus. Charvak and Lord Buddha did not accept the Vedas, yet they are deeply respected in our tradition. Then why question the identity of tribal communities in the context of Hinduism?" he wondered. Praising PM Narendra Modi for declaring Nov 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day), the CM said the move has instilled a sense of respect and recognition in tribal communities. "They are our original society. Tribal Pride Day is a gesture of gratitude and a bridge of communication with them," he noted. He added that the state govt has ensured 100% saturation of welfare schemes among marginalised communities, such as the Kol tribe, which is deeply rooted in the legacy of Lord Ram.