Exclusive: Arun Govil Says Adipurush Team Had Approached Him For Input, Wonders What They Were

New Delhi: ‘Adipurush’ continues to remain in the eye of controversy for its VFX, dialogues and portrayal of the character of Raavan. Recently, veteran actor Arun Govil, who portrayed the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayan’ spoke about his views in light of the ‘Adipurush’ controversy. In an interaction with ABP News, Arun Govil shared that in light of the audience’s opinion and what is being heard in general, it was not necessary to change the essential meaning of the beloved epic.

Arun Govil shared that Ramayana is our “darohar, humari aastha hai…” (an avid part of the Indian cultural ethos). To hear people talk about ‘Adipurush’ and its portrayal of Ramayana, is actually hurtful. The veteran actor added that Ramayana has many people’s devotion and trust attached and to change the essential ‘swaroop’ is unacceptable.

In fact, the veteran actor quashed the current defense along the lines along which ‘Adipurush’ was being promoted, to show the film to contemporary audiences. Arun Govil said that it is incorrect to talk of Ramayana along the lines of contemporary and ancient. It is not wrong to use the latest VFX tech to present Ramayana on screen but to change the characters and not present them in a proper manner is unfortunate.

Arun Govil also added that it is not right to present Ram, Sita and Hanuman in the contemporary vs ancient debate. They are all ‘aadi and anant’ and when their representations have been set since ages, what’s the problem in not showing them in the common acceptable manner? “Lord Ram’s company does not follow tradition, it is not customary to sit with Hanuman, how can you keep Hanuman ji in the old form, you want to show him in a worshipful form, you have to keep it in your hands.” tha.” (There is no question of contemporary and ancient with Lord Ram, Ma Sita or Lord Hanuman. The makers should have stuck to the way they have always been portrayed on screen).

The ‘Ramayan’ actor also added that the makers of ‘Adipurush’ should have thought about how to present ‘Ramayana’ to an audience which is deeply attached to the Hindu myth. He even questioned what was wrong in the way the established characters of the epic are represented in popular culture? Why was the need to represent them in another manner?

The veteran actor is said to have questioned the characters’ portrayal in the film by asking what it is that the makers are trying to suggest. As per the veteran actor, it is good to take creative liberties but not to an extent that the makers personally interfere in the material.

Arun Govil also revealed that when the first teaser of ‘Adipurush’ was unveiled, he had spoken to the makers of the film and given his opinion about the same. The actor, however, did not disclose what went on between the makers and him at the time.

Known for having played Lord Ram in Doordarshan’s ‘Ramayan’, Arun Govil added that he wondered what the makers of ‘Adipurush’ were thinking while making this film. He even defended Kriti Sanon and Prabhas as Sita and Ram, stating that it is not the actors’ fault but that of the makers who gave such characters to them. However, he added, “Un actors ko lena chahiye jinki image in characters ke boht zyada khilaaf na rahi ho, jo shayad mujhe lagta hai aisa hua nahi hai” ( makers should have taken characters whose image is quite close to the characters they play on screen in Adipurush, I feel that was not done).

Advising future generations of Bollywood filmmakers who attempt to adapt ‘Ramayana’ on screen, Arun Govil shared that he would want them to keep the crux of the story and the characters intact. He said, “Sirf liye Ramayana na banaien ki pehle wali se jyada acha karna chahte hai, aisi film banana chahte hai, ye thought boht acha hai lekin uske lie alag alag tareeke se alag alag nayi nayi batein jo thaes pahunchaiyein nahi honi chahiye.” (It is good to think about making a film better than the previous adaptations of Ramayana, but it should not be done in a way that they hurt the sentiments of others).

Arun Govil admitted that he had not yet seen the film, however, he has read a lot about the film’s criticism and the feedback he has received from his friends.

See the full interview here.

‘Adipurush’ released on Friday, June 16, 2023.