New Delhi, Sept 27: If you think actors who play Ram are Arun Govil clones, just check out the guy who acts the lead in the Ramlila staged by the Capital's Luv Kush Ramlila Committee. He isn't tall, fair or middle-aged. He's a dark 22-year-old, boy-next-door-type who greets you with a big "Hello" and introduces himself as Ramlila's star attraction in flawless English.
So is Ram getting a makeover? "We didn't want to portray Ram as a superhero, he was just like us — a good, confused, common man," explains Tejpal of Muradabad's Mangalam Kala Manch. "I wanted my Ram to be soft-spoken, cultured and not very tall," he adds. Balbir Pathak and Pradeep Sharma of Shri Dharmic Ramlila differ. "Our Ram is maryadapurushottam. Hence, we chose an actor with immense stage presence and who's fair," explains Pathak. "He is young, tall, has sharp features and broad shoulders," adds Sharma.
For Nav Shri Dharmic Ramlila Committee, Ram is a handsome lad with big eyes and a charming smile.
Even Ram's sibling suffers from a colour crisis. While Luv Kush Ramlila's Lakshman is a shade fairer than his older brother, quite a few of the city's Ramlilas have a dusky, short and lean Lakshman.
Even Ram's loyal devotee Hanuman has got a new look. He's being projected as a hunk. Ramlila directors are cashing in on Hanuman to attract generation Y this time. Pathak says the all-new Hanuman has been introduced this year to attract the masses, considering he is ancient India's answer to Rambo.
However, good old Ravan has managed to stave off the Ramlila revamp. He's held on to his mean, ugly and loud stereotype — for this year.