E-Paper
Celebrities dazzle Delhi stage for the love of Ramlila
Popular actors from films and TV are ruling the stage at the Lav Kush Ramlila in the Red Fort grounds. HT City speaks to them about their backstage banter.
Popular actors from the world of TV and films are making a beeline to Old Delhi to rehearse and rule the stage at Lav Kush Ramlila. HT City speaks to them about their prep and backstage banter.
Delhi boy Gagan Malik aces rajkumar-style walk for Ram’s role
Actor Gagan Malik, who has been part of TV shows like Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman and Ramayan, is quite enthused to portray maryada purushottam Ram in his hometown. “The beauty of performing in Delhi is that it’s never boring! Yahan ki audience humesha energetic rehti hai. Dilliwallon ki energy is in fact so infectious that it keeps me motivated to try something new, something better! I still feel new to the rajkumar-wali chaal (princely walk),” he says.
Laalach to play Ravana for Dilli ki audience brings me back!’
Actor Mukesh Rishi aka Bulla of Gunda (1998) feels he can feed off the energy of Delhi audience any day! “I can easily associate with the characteristics of Ravana because I, too, have a lot of those qualities. Besides, Dilli ki audience ke saamne Ravana ka kirdhar nibhane ka laalach mujhe yahan kheench lata hai. My only condition to play this part is that I get the script 45 days in advance; that’s how I start living the character” he tells us.
From tourist to artistes purani Dilli: Kavita Joshi aka Sita Mata
Kavita Joshi rendered her maiden live performance on the Delhi stage this year. The actor, who’s been a part of Haryanvi films such as Akad 2 (2018) and Paro, says, “Since the day I revealed I’m playing Sita Mata, I’ve been getting so many messages from my fans in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Sonipat. Just the fact that everyone in NCR waits to watch the Ramlila and be a part of the mela boosts my energy. Although I’ve been to Purani Dilli many times as a tourist, to visit here as a Ramlila artiste is a joy.”
A divine return for Dishank Arora to play Lakshmana
A Delhi boy at heart, this will be the first time that actor Dishank Arora will portray Lakshmana on stage in his city. “It’s nothing short of kismet,” gushes the actor, who is known for his parts in Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan (2014) and The Hunt (2021). “Ramlila dekhi kayi baar hai lekin Mumbai jaane ke baad ab mujhe mauka mila hai apne sheher mein perform karne ka. Yeh bahut badi baat hai mere liye... Not many know that in my childhood, I was lovingly called Kush and I grew up watching Ramayana. So for me, all this is like a homecoming.”
Nirbhay Wadhwa’s love for Hanumanji and golgappas
Actor Nirbhay Wadhwa, whose work in Mahabharat (2013) and Shrikant Bashir (2020) will remind you of his physical prowess, is pumped up to portray Lord Hanuman. “It’s the fourth year and now Dilliwallahs recognise me for playing Hanuman ji. But my favourite part about returning to Old Delhi is yahan ki chaat. Purani Dilli mein perform karo aur golgappe ke mazze na lo, aisa toh ho hi nahin sakta... This one time when I went to have golgappe, the vendor recognised me from my on-screen role (of Hanuman in TV shows) and unhone mere paer chookar ashirwad liya.”
Mohit Tyagi (Vibhishana) spills the beans on BTS fun
Actor Mohit Tyagi, who’s been part of the Ramlila for many years, plays the part of Vibhishana among other side roles. He shares, “Chahe koi bhi character play kar rahe ho, hum behind the scenes bahut masti karte hain... It is challenging to perform live for five hours regularly, for 11 days at a stretch. But all this becomes possible because of our off stage fun... Humare Nirbhay bhai (Hanuman) sabse zyada mastikhor hain and Gagan sir (Ram) and Mukesh sir (Ravana) have the best sense of humour! This bonding is the reason why many of us keep coming back to perform in Delhi.”
