Dipika Chikhlia Says She's Glad She Missed Mandakini’s Role in Ram Teri Ganga Maili: 'I Was Shocked'

Actor Dipika Chikhlia shot to fame for her role as Goddess Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan nearly 36 years ago. While she is grateful for the iconic role, she did not plan to stay in television. In a recent interview, Dipika shared that she had asked Raj Kapoor to cast her in his 1985 film Ram Teri Ganga Maili, but he refused because she was too young.

Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Dipika said that she was doing small supporting roles and lead roles in minor films and wasn’t happy. She recalled, “In those days I was doing small second-person roles. I was doing small films as a heroine. But I was not happy. I felt like leaving the industry. The father of Raj Kapoor’s daughter Reema’s best friend was my father’s friend. He told me that Raj Kapoor was looking for a new face for the film. He could talk to us.”

Explaining why Raj Kapoor turned her down, she said, “I went to meet Raj Kapoor. He asked my age, I was 17 years old then. He said you are too young. Let me tell you.”

Ram Teri Ganga Maili caused controversy due to scenes of Mandakini breastfeeding and bathing in a transparent saree. Though initially disappointed at not getting the role, Dipika Chikhlia later saw it as a blessing. Missing out on the film allowed her to land the iconic role of Sita in Ramayan. She said, “I had gone to watch a movie with my mother. I was shocked after watching the movie. I thought thank God the matter did not progress, otherwise how would I have refused. I realised that if I had done ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’ then I would not have been able to become Sita of Ramayana.”

Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Raj Kapoor’s last directorial, featured Rajiv Kapoor and Mandakini in lead roles. Despite controversial scenes, it was the highest-grossing Indian movie of the year and won five Filmfare Awards.

Dipika Chikhlia is one of the most popular actresses in the television industry. She has played several characters in her career, but the most iconic of them was the role of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana. The role changed the actress’ life forever, as she became a household name across the nation thereafter. Over the years, she has been able to garner a lot of love from the audience for her performances.