Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 12: Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia Topiwala, who became household names for portraying Lord Ram and Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series Ramayan (1987), are set to reunite for a feature film after nearly 39 years.
Titled Notice, the film is directed by Pradeep Gupta and will premiere on the OTT platform Waves on November 6, ahead of Govil’s appearance as King Dashrath in Ramayana: Part 1, scheduled for release on November 8.
Producer-actor Aditya Pratap Singh Raghuvanshi describes Notice as a contemporary interpretation of the relationship between Ram and Sita. Set in a village, the film follows Govil’s character, an ordinary man who takes on a corrupt system in his fight for justice. Chikhlia plays his wife, who stands by him throughout his struggle.
Explaining the film’s central theme, Raghuvanshi told Mid-Day that the story revolves around a 150-year-old shop and explores the plight of people who have lost their homes or businesses due to development projects.
He said the familiar on-screen pairing of Govil and Chikhlia was well suited to telling a story about the conflict between truth and falsehood, describing the film as a modern-day Ramayan.
The film draws on the actors’ enduring association with the mythological television series to tell a contemporary story about ordinary people confronting injustice and the impact of development.
Raghuvanshi said the makers opted for a digital premiere to reach audiences across the country, particularly viewers who grew up watching Govil and Chikhlia on television.
He said the team believed that streaming on mobile devices would help the film reach a wider audience familiar with the actors’ iconic pairing. In addition to its OTT release, Notice will also be aired on 36 satellite channels, he added.
Although the film marks their first feature-film collaboration in nearly four decades, Govil and Chikhlia reunited in 2024 for the music video Humare Ram Aaye Hai.
Their portrayal of Ram and Sita in Ramayan remains one of the most recognisable associations in Indian television. With Notice, the actors return together in a different setting, portraying a married couple navigating a contemporary struggle for justice.
Govil is also set to appear as King Dashrath in Ramayana: Part 1, scheduled for release on November 8.