Why the Cast of ‘Ramayan’ Didn't Celebrate Diwali for 4 Years

The cast of the iconic TV show Ramayan once revealed that they did not celebrate Diwali for four years. The reason behind this was their deep emotional and spiritual connection to the show and the characters they portrayed. They felt such a strong sense of responsibility and reverence for their roles—especially actors like Arun Govil (Lord Ram), Deepika Chikhalia (Sita), and Sunil Lahri (Lakshman)—that they chose to maintain a state of personal discipline and devotion even off-screen. Their dedication was so intense that they avoided celebrating festivals like Diwali during the entire shooting period and for some time afterward, as a mark of respect for the epic and the divine figures they represented.

Mumbai: The cast of Ramayan did not celebrate Diwali for four years — and the reason was revealed by Deepika Chikhalia, who played the role of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series Ramayan.

Deepika Chikhalia as Sita
Deepika Chikhalia portrayed the role of Mata Sita in Ramayan, a show that became a cultural phenomenon in India.

Why They Didn’t Celebrate Diwali for 4 Years
In an interview, Deepika once shared that the shooting of the show lasted for four years, and during that entire period, she did not celebrate Diwali. She explained the reason behind this — the actors felt such a deep sense of devotion and responsibility toward the roles they were playing that they chose to refrain from celebrations like Diwali to maintain the spiritual and emotional integrity of their characters.

Filming Took Place in Umargaon
In an interview, Deepika Chikhalia revealed that the shooting of Ramayan took place in a small village called Umargaon, located in the Nandurbar district near the Maharashtra border.

The Cast Stayed in Umargaon
She mentioned that since the shoot was extensive and went on for a long time, accommodation was arranged for all the cast members near the shooting location.

Far from Home
The filming location was quite far from their homes, so returning frequently wasn’t practical or easy.

Why Diwali Wasn’t Celebrated
Due to the distance and tight shooting schedule, the cast and crew couldn’t go home—even during festivals. As a result, they had to stay away from their families during Diwali.

Two Shows Were Filmed
The filming of both Ramayan and Luv Kush spanned over four years, which is why Deepika Chikhalia and others were unable to celebrate Diwali at home during that time.