Actor Arvind Trivedi Kept A Fast While Shooting Ramayan, Would Seek Apology For Playing 'Ravan'

India woke up to a devastating loss this morning when news of the passing away of actor Arvind Trivedi dropped in. The actor breathed his last after battling an age-related illness on Tuesday night. He was cremated on Wednesday morning in the Kandivali area in Mumbai.

Best known for playing Raavan on the popular 1986 mythological show Ramayan, died late Tuesday evening following a heart attack.

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He was in his early 80s. According to the actor's nephew, Kaustubh Trivedi, the actor had been unwell for a long time and breathed his last around 10 pm at his residence here in suburban Kandivali.

The actor made headlines last year in 2020 when Doordarshan aired the iconic show again to entertain the audience during the lockdown. The actor also sat with BBC Hindi for a heart-to-heart discussion.

Doordarshan

When 400 people auditioned for 'Raavan,' everyone had a dream of making it big in their career. However, the prayers of only one were answered.

Talking to BBC, Trivedi's granddaughter spoke about some of his stories from the sets of the iconic show.

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A devotee of Lord Ram, Arvind would keep a fast while shooting scenes as Ravan. He thought his evil onscreen role disrespected his real feelings and devotion for the Lord.

Doordarshan

She said, "It took him five hours to get ready. He used to fast during the shoot, would do Ram's aartis. Before the filming would begin, he would do a lot of pujas, even ask for forgiveness for all the evil things he would have to say to Lord Ram during filming,"

Arvind Trivedi landed up the role of Ravan, and his life changed. Arvind said the part came as a 'blessing.'

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"More than 400 people auditioned for it. My life got made with it. I did more than 250 Hindi and Gujarati films as a result."

His granddaughter, who was also talking on his behalf in the interview, pitched in and said,

"He always remembers his trip to Ujjain with Ramanand Sagar fondly. Five lakh people had gathered to see him."

Arvind Trivedi acted in nearly 300 Hindi and Gujarati movies and found immense popularity on the Ramanand Sagar 1986 TV series "Ramayan."

The actor's other works, including the TV series 'Vikram Aur Betaal' (1985) and the 1998 Gujarati feature film 'Desh Re Joya Dada Pardesh Joya,' were also massive hits.

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Besides his acting career, in 1991, Arvind Trivedi was elected as a Member of Parliament from Sabarkatha constituency as a member of Bharatiya Janata Party and was in the office till 1996.

(With inputs from PTI)