9 Popular Characters From “Ramayana” Who Are No More With Us

Lockdown period has given us an opportunity to go back in the time and learn to cherish what we already have. If you are a millennial, you have probably spent your 90s weekend holed up in your house and watching Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana. Courtesy, Doordarshan we are getting an opportunity to relive those days as the Indian mythological show is back on television. Surprisingly, it hasn’t lost it charm even a bit.

Ever since Ramayana made its comeback on TV, it has become a talking point of every social media discussion. A popular chat show even hosted the actors Arun Govil, Deepika Chikhalia and Sunil Lehri as its guest. No doubt, the veteran actors have once again caught the attention of millennial who have an attention span of a baby.

But while we are cherishing the Ramayana on our television, let’s remember the actors who are no longer among us to witness the second innings of fame today.

1. Shyam Sundar Kalani- Sugriv/Bali

Shyam Sundar Kalani is the latest of all to breathe his last. The veteran actor passed away on April 6,2020 after a long battle with cancer. He played the iconic role of Bali and Sugriv in Ramayana.

2. Mukesh Raval- Vibhishan

He was one of the most beloved characters of Ramayana, Vibhishan who sided with Lord Rama despite being Raavana’s brother. The actor committed suicide in 2016 after the tragic demise of his young son. For a long time before his death, he was suffering from depression. His lifeless body was found on a railway track.

3. Dara Singh- Lord Hanuman

Dara Singh became a household name for his role as Hanuman in Ramayana. There could be no other actor in many recreations of Ramayana, who could be as good as Dara Singh in Lord Hanuman’s role. The actor passed away in July 2012 due to a fatal heart attack.

4. Urmila Bhatt- Sunaina

Bollywood actress who played Sunaina as Janak’s wife in Ramayana passed away in February 1997. The actress was found murdered in her Juhu residence. Robbery was said to be a possible cause behind her murder.

5. Nalin Dave- Kumbhkaran

Nalin Dave became popular for playing the role of Raavana’s brother Kumbh Karan in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana. He was a theatre actor and later he worked in many Gujarati films. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 50.

6. Vijay Arora- Meghnath

Though Vijay Arora has tried his hands in Bollywood, but he shot to fame only after his role in Ramayana. He played the titular role of Meghnath, Raavana’s son. He passed away in 2007 after battling stomach cancer.

7. Lalita Pawar- Manthara

The iconic vamp of Bollywood, Lalita Pawar’s acting prowess couldn’t be explained in words. The actress played the role of Kaikeyi’s house help Manthara. She passed away in 1998 after battling mouth cancer.

8. Jayshree Gadkar- Kaushalya

Jayshree Gadkar played the role of Rama’s mother Kaushalya in Ramayana. Apart from the mythological show, she has appeared in many Marathi and Hindi movies. She passed away in August, 2008 due to an illness.

9. Moolraj Rajda- Janak

Moolraj Rajda played the role of Raja Janak, Sita’s father in Ramayana. Apart from that, he also worked with Ramanand Sagar in Vikram Aur Betaal. The actor passed away in September 2012 due to age related complications.

It is indeed sad that these iconic actors are no more alive to enjoy the fame that Ramayana is enjoying even after decades of its first telecast. However, they will be remembered till eternity for the brilliant craftsmanship they have demonstrated in the Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana.