Includes TV, Theatre, Movie
"Lord Shiva gave me many a sleepless nights and a very tough time," said actor Mohit Raina, who essayed the role of 'Mahadev' for 3 years before he decided to quit. "My fans would touch my feet to greet me. Some lashed out at me because I had consumed alcoholic beverage at a social do! I was expected to behave like Shivji in the malls, at the airport, while buying groceries, the fanaticism started to get to me," the actor complained.
This is not a one-off incident where a real person playing the role of God or any mythological being had been harassed by the public.
Arun Govil Says Lord Ram Made It Difficult For Him to Breathe Free
Another actor who suffered due to an on screen characterisation was Arun Govil aka Lord Rama. "I had to eat, drink, sleep and interact as if I was God. My relatives would seek my blessings before starting something new or auspicious. It may seem ridiculous, but people take these roles very seriously in India," he tells you. Govil was once refused entry into a suburban Mumbai resto bar because it was "not befitting" lord ram!
Rupu Ganguly Said She Couldn't Buy Jeans For Herself!
Strange as it may sound, but yesteryear actress Rupu Ganguly who played Draupadi in Mahabharat said shopkeepers wouldn't allow her to enter the western section. "They would constantly take out saree in pale colours from their shelves. One merchant even told me that jeans are not meant for women who were as" pious as Draupadi!" she recalls her ordeal.
In Theatre Too Roles Are Decided On Your Religion / Caste
Nawazuddin Siddiqui was recently turned away from a Ramleela performance on the grounds of him being a Muslim. The actor who has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood said he never felt so humiliated. "Roles of the Gods are decided on the basis of religion and even caste. It is unfortunate but true," he points out.
Should it be the case then? We asked youth Reporters for their opinion on this.
Youth Reporters Say Religion Shouldn't Matter When You Play Role
It is not fair that you land up roles on the basis of your religion. Why can't a Muslim actor play a Hindu God? Bollywood is still far better but small screen and theatre suffer from such dichotomy. Aditya Goswami, class X II, Amity School, New Delhi
Heights of intolerance this is. Why should an actor's religion or caste matter for an onscreen role? It's just something that he is portraying in reel life. I don't think Lord Hanuman would have had a problem with a Sikh playing him on TV! It's the casting director who needs to mend his thoughts. Deepika Sinha, Class X, Bal Bharti School
It is pathetic that casting directors, especially for small screen, give weight age to religion while choosing cast for mythological series. It is only just a role. Shreya Bhattacharya, class VIII, Millennium School, Kolkata
It is silly that religion plays a role in deciding what role you will land up on the TV. I don't think it is any of our business to know what is the actor's religion in the first place. We attach way too much values to these roles and make them God figures. Which is wrong. They have a life beyond a TV series too. Akshay Anand, class X, DPS International, Mumbai.
Do You Think A Role (on TV, Theatre or the movies) Should Be Decided On The Basis Of A Person's Religion? Is It Fair On Our Part To Take These Roles So Seriously? Your Thoughts?