Ramayan actor Chandrakant Pandya dies at 72, Dipika Chikhlia confirms

Chandrakant Pandya, who played the role of Nishad Raj in the television show Ramayan, died on Thursday. He was 72. His co-star Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita in the mythological show, confirmed the news of his death on her Instagram.

Sharing a picture of the actor on her Instagram Stories, Dipika wrote, “#RIP @Chandrakant Pandya – Nishad of Ramayan.”

In Ramayan, which aired on Doordarshan, Chandrakant played the role of Lord Ram’s childhood friend. Besides the show, he also reportedly starred in several movies including Prem Lagna, Pyar Ho Gaya, Parivaar Na Pankhi, Hote Hote Pyar Hogaya, and Chundadi Ni Laaj. He also appeared in a few Gujarati movies.

Earlier this month, Ramayan’s Raavan actor Arvind Trivedi also died. He suffered a heart attack. Ramayan actor Sunil Lahiri shared the news of his death on Instagram at the time. “Bahut dukhad Samachar hai ki Hamare Sabke Pyare Arvind bhai (Ravan of Ramayan) Ab Hamare bich Nahin Rahe Bhagwan Unki Atma ko Shanti De (This is a very sad news. Our dear Arvind Bhai is no longer with us. May God bring peace to his soul). I am speechless I lost father figure my guide well wisher and gentleman.”

An ABP report quoted Arvind’s nephew Kaustubh Trivedi as saying, “Uncle was unwell for past few years. Things only worsened over the past three years. He had to be admitted to the hospital a few times.”

Also read: It took Arvind Trivedi 20 takes to slap Hema Malini in Hum Tere Aashiq Hain, Ramanand Sagar’s son Prem recalls

Ramayan first aired on Doordarshan in 1987. The series was aired again during the first lockdown amid Covid-19 pandemic. The re-telecast registered the highest-ever rating for a Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) programme since 2015.

While Dipika played Sita, Arun Govil played Ram, Sunil Lahri was seen as Laxman and Dara Singh was Hanuman in the show. It was created and directed by Ramanand Sagar.