For many actors Ramlila laid the foundation for their career in the entertainment industry. Celebs speak about their favourite memories of Ramlila

Mona

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Ramlila is one platform that has launched many a star. The King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, was a part of the vanar sena. As Ramlila gets going, actors share their favourite moments from Ramlila on stage and screen.

All for Lord Hanuman

It has always been fun to watch Ramlila. I remember sitting on my father’s shoulder to watch it. My favourite character is Lord Hanuman. It is hard to ignore the relationship between Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram. My most favourite scene from Ramlila is when Lord Hanuman makes an entry. I haven’t gotten a chance to perform in a Ramlila yet. If given a chance, I would love to portray Goddess Sita. — Rishina Kandhari

Fighting for Lord Ram

I used to watch Ramlila with my younger brother and mom. Watching Ram, Sita, Hanuman and all our favourite characters performing live was so fascinating. I loved Bajrang Bali ji the most. His devotion to Shri Ram was amazing. Performing in Ramlila was my first step towards acting. I was around five or six, when I played a soldier in Hanuman ji’s sena. — Darshan Kumar

It’s awesome

My favourite Ramlila scene is the opening sequence from the movie Dream Girl with Ayushmann Khurrana playing Sita. I have grown up enjoying Ramlila. Prabhu Ram is my ideal. I remember once in Sector 29, they made Shurpanakha fly directly to the stage. I was awestruck. Watching Ramlila is something that I have continued till date. This time around too, I would go with my family, and hop pandals to catch glimpses of Ramlila in different sectors while keeping a safe distance. — Karan Chhabra

Oh what fun!

Ramlila has brought so much joy. Once in Sector 17, I got carried away and jumped with a fake sword. When people started shouting, I realised that I had landed myself in the middle of a Ramlila scene. I took a step back. I laughed so much later and the audience too. The last fight with Ravan has been my favourite scene. I like Ravan. I find him fascinating with his 10 heads. I have acted in Ramlila as a child. It was super funny as I used to exaggerate the performance much to audiences’ delight. — Kanwalpreet Singh

When I have a chance

I used to watch Ramlila with my family. We used to have fun mimicking the characters. The last time I watched Ramlila, I was 15. I would love to watch it again. — Jyoti Sharma

For experience of a lifetime

I loved the scene of Ramlila in the film Delhi-6, which also explores the caste and gender issues and raises some uncomfortable questions. I have only seen it on TV but I would love to act in one just for an experience. — Shamin Mannan

Within the Lakshman rekha

I grew up in Pune. The only exposure to any kind of Ramlila was the burning of Ravan. My father would walk me to the ground and I would stand there fascinated watching the burning arrow reach the gigantic Ravan and make it go into flames. I would love to watch Ramlila, but because of the pandemic I will not cross the Lakshman rekha of social distancing. — Viraf Patel

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