Saloni Bhatia (BOMBAY TIMES; September 3, 2015)

The Lav Kush Ramlila Committee has roped in many celebs to be part of their Ramlila this year. After Asrani and Surendra Pal, we have now learnt that more known faces from the film and TV industry will be playing Ramlila characters in the capital next month. Gajendra Chauhan, whose appointment as FTII chief led to agitation, will be playing the role of Lord Shiva while Bollywood baddies Shakti Kapoor and Ranjeet will essay Narantak and Akshayakumara, respectively. A committee spokesperson says, “We are in talks with many celebs from the film industry. We have roped in Gajendra to play Shiva. Amita Nangia will enact Kaushalya, Deepshikha will be seen as Mandodari and Zarina Wahab will be playing Shabri. Gagan Malik, who currently plays Lord Ram in Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman, will also be a part of it. Puneet Issar will be seen reprising the role of Parshuram and Jr Mehmood will also participate. Girija Shankar, who essayed Dhrithrashtra in Mahabharat, will play Dashrath.“