Controversial Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Chairman Gajendra Chauhan who is known for his portrayal of Yudhishtira in the iconic mythological television series Mahabharata is all set for a comeback, but this time on stage for Ram Leela in Delhi. And along with him, there will be former cricketer Manoj Prabhakar who will try his stint at acting for the very first time.
This year, the Ram Leela celebrations held in the premises of the Ramlila Maidan near Red Fort which is organised by Luv Kush Ram Leela Committee, arguably one of the biggest events of the city during Dussehra, will have celebrities like Gajendra Chauhan and Manoj Prabhakar. While Chauhan will play the character of tribal king Nishad Raj, Prabhakar will be essaying the role of rain god Lord Indra.
“Life had given me so many characters to play that I feel blessed to be a part of Ramayana, ” Chauhan said, reports Indian Express. However, this is not his first attempt as in October 2015 when the controversy over his appointment as the FTII Chairman was at its peak, he had played the role of Lord Shiva, reports NDTV.
But for Prabhakar, acting on stage will be entirely a new experience as the former cricketer-turned-coach has been keeping a low profile after he was banned by the BCCI in 1999 for his alleged involvement in match-fixing scandal in 1999.
A few years later, he was appointed a bowling coach in the Delhi cricket team but subsequently got dismissed after a fallout with the players and selectors, reports ESPN cricinfo. Recently, in May, he also threatened to take legal action against the makers of Azhar, a film on former cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin as he felt that the movie showed him in a bad light, reports Zee News.
The star cast in this year’s Ram Leela includes many important names from the world of movies and television. Actors Puneet Issar and Raza Murad will play Ravana and Raja Janaka, respectively while BJP MP and Bhojpuri star Ravi Kishan will play boatman Kevat, reports Hindustan Times. Big Boss contestant and TV actor Raja Chaudhary will play sage Vishwamitra and Prabhakar’s wife and yesteryear’s actress Farheen Prabhakar will play Sunaina, Sita’s mother.