Ramayan’s Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia reunite after 39 years for an upcoming project, a social drama about a 150-year-old shop

For generations of viewers, Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia remain synonymous with Lord Ram and Goddess Sita from Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series Ramayan. Nearly four decades after the show first aired in 1987, the much-loved on-screen pair is reuniting for a film that explores a very different story.Titled Notice, the upcoming social drama is directed by Pradeep Gupta and will premiere on the streaming platform Waves on November 6.The film revolves around a 150-year-old shop that faces the threat of demolition due to development. Arun Govil plays a man who takes on a corrupt system to protect the shop and fight for justice, while Dipika Chikhlia portrays his wife, who stands firmly by him throughout his struggle.Speaking to Mid-Day, producer-actor Aditya Pratap Singh Raghuvanshi explained why he believes the Ramayan duo is the right fit for the film. He said the story would resonate with people who have lost their homes or businesses because of development projects.“The story has a 150-year-old shop at its centre. All those who have lost their homes or shops due to development will identify with it. And who can tell this story better than Ram and Sita? Where there is a fight between truth and untruth, Ram and Sita’s jodi has to be there. You can call it a modern-day Ramayan,” Raghuvanshi told Mid-Day.The makers have opted for an OTT release to take the film to a wider audience. Raghuvanshi also told the publication that Waves’ subscriber base could help Notice reach viewers across the country.He pointed out that while cinema audiences today largely have an urban outlook, Govil and Chikhlia continue to enjoy a strong connection with television audiences. The team hopes that a mobile-friendly streaming release will help the film reach viewers beyond major cities.Get the latest TV News, TV Shows and more. Download the TOI app.