Dipika Chikhlia on 35 years as Sita: 'It is my greatest blessing'
Synopsis
More than three decades after Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan' first aired, Dipika Chikhlia says being recognised as Goddess Sita remains her greatest blessing — not a burden. As she prepares for her next film 'Tera Mera Nata', her words are a rare reminder of how deeply a single role can define a cultural era in Indian television.
Key Takeaways
Dipika Chikhlia says being remembered as Goddess Sita after more than three decades is her greatest blessing.
She spoke ahead of the release of her upcoming film 'Tera Mera Nata' , co-starring Suraj .
Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan' originally aired in the late 1980s and starred Arun Govil , Sunil Lahri , Arvind Trivedi , Dara Singh , and Chikhlia.
Chikhlia described 'Ramayan' as 'one of the greatest screenplays in the world', citing its universal values and positive storytelling.
The show's 2020 lockdown re-telecast broke national viewership records, underscoring its cross-generational appeal.
Actress Dipika Chikhlia, who portrayed Goddess Sita in Ramanand Sagar's landmark television series 'Ramayan', says being recognised as Sita more than three decades after the show first aired is her greatest blessing. Speaking ahead of the release of her upcoming film 'Tera Mera Nata', Chikhlia reflected on the enduring cultural hold that 'Ramayan' continues to exert on Indian audiences across generations.
Her Gratitude for Being Remembered as Sita
Chikhlia described the public's continuing devotion as something that leaves her overwhelmed. 'Yeh mera saubhagya hai ki mujhe aisa kirdar nibhaane ka mauka mila. Logon ne mujhe bahut pyaar diya aur sweekar kiya,' she said — meaning: 'It is my good fortune that I got the opportunity to portray such a character. People have showered me with immense love and accepted me wholeheartedly.'
The actress added that the love from audiences has only deepened her sense of gratitude, calling it a reminder to count her blessings every day.
Why 'Ramayan' Remains Relevant Across Eras
Chikhlia attributed the serial's timeless appeal to the universal values embedded in its storytelling. In her words: 'Ramayan ko duniya ke behtareen screenplays mein maana jaata hai. Iske har kirdar mein seekh hai.' (Ramayan is considered one of the greatest screenplays in the world. Every character in it offers a life lesson.)
She elaborated that Lord Ram represented the ideal son, husband, and brother; Sita embodied the ideal wife, daughter-in-law, and daughter; and Lakshman symbolised duty and unwavering devotion. 'The story is filled with positivity, and that is why people want to watch it and understand it again and again,' she said.
Notably, 'Ramayan' was re-telecast during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and broke viewership records, drawing hundreds of millions of viewers — a testament to its cross-generational resonance.
The Original Cast That Became Cultural Icons
Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan', which first aired in the late 1980s, featured Arun Govil as Lord Ram, Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, Arvind Trivedi as Ravan, Dara Singh as Hanuman, and Dipika Chikhlia as Goddess Sita. The show became a cultural phenomenon, with audiences reportedly offering prayers to the actors as though they were the deities themselves — a level of devotion rarely seen in Indian television history.
This is the kind of cultural imprint that few actors across any medium achieve, and Chikhlia has carried that identity with grace for over three decades.
What's Next for Dipika Chikhlia
Chikhlia is now set to appear in 'Tera Mera Nata', a family-oriented drama co-starring Suraj. The film centres on emotional relationships and has been positioned as a heartwarming watch for family audiences. It marks one of her notable screen appearances in recent years, signalling a return to active filmwork for the actress.
Point of View
Unable to move audiences past a single role. Chikhlia's graceful framing of it as a 'blessing' is admirable, but the industry's failure to build on that goodwill for its original cast over three decades is a quieter story worth telling.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played Sita in Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan'?
Dipika Chikhlia played Goddess Sita in Ramanand Sagar's iconic television series 'Ramayan', which first aired in the late 1980s. She remains one of the most recognisable faces associated with the role in Indian television history.
What has Dipika Chikhlia said about being remembered as Sita after 35 years?
Chikhlia has called it her greatest blessing, saying she is overwhelmed and grateful that audiences continue to love and recognise her as Goddess Sita more than three decades after the show first aired. She described it as her 'saubhagya' — good fortune.
What is Dipika Chikhlia's upcoming film?
'Tera Mera Nata' is Dipika Chikhlia's upcoming film, in which she stars alongside Suraj. It is a family-oriented drama centred on emotional relationships.
Who were the other lead actors in Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan'?
The original cast included Arun Govil as Lord Ram, Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, Arvind Trivedi as Ravan, and Dara Singh as Hanuman, alongside Dipika Chikhlia as Goddess Sita.
Why does 'Ramayan' continue to be relevant decades after it first aired?
According to Chikhlia, 'Ramayan' endures because its characters embody universal values — duty, devotion, and ideal relationships — that resonate across generations. The show's 2020 lockdown re-telecast broke national viewership records, confirming its lasting cultural hold.
