Ram Leela is currently being staged in Ayodhya, UP, as part of the celebrations leading up to Dussehra. It depicts several important chapters from the Ramayana. Due to the pandemic, instead of a vast live audience, it’s being streamed live online and is also being broadcast on national television. Interestingly, actress Bhagyashree, who has made a comeback to movies recently, played Sita’s part on stage last night.

The actress says, “This was so special. It’s Navratri and Ram Leela is a huge part of a tradition passed down from generations. When I was approached for it, it didn’t take me long to say yes. I am starting my career afresh and I was keen to come here and seek blessings. Being able to participate in Ram Leela, which people from different parts of the world watch, made it more special. Unfortunately, my work schedule is such that I could not give it more than one day, but this will remain an extremely special experience for me.”

When asked about the prep involved in a live performance, which doesn’t allow for retakes, Bhagyashree shares, “Since it was just a day, there wasn’t too much to prepare, but it required preparation for sure. I was given detailed notes and scene break-ups. I reached the venue during the day, rehearsed and performed in the evening for the dignitaries present.”

While Bhagyashree’s husband, Himalay Dassani, accompanied her for the performance, her son, Abhimanyu, had to give it a miss due to his work commitments. “My son was very excited to know that I was doing this. He has grown up listening to all these stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. It would have been something for him to see it live in action. In fact, not just him, my mother-in-law, too, wanted to be there, but due to age-related COVID restrictions, she couldn’t join us. My husband would not have missed this for anything. He wanted to see me playing Sita. This is the first time in decades that he wanted to see me enact a part.”

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The nation’s coveted 10-day Ram Leela celebration in Ayodhya will be a memorable one for visitors today. Actor Bhagyashree is set to slip into the part of Sita for the act tonight that is expected to draw crowds from across the country.

The actor tells mid-day, “Subhash-ji [organiser Subhash Malik] who had been [helming] the Ram Leela in Delhi earlier, approached me. This year, they planned to do it on a grand scale in Ayodhya. There was no question of turning down such an opportunity. To be part of this [celebration] in Ayodhya, which is Shri Ram ki nagari, is perfect.”

Looking at this opportunity as one among a slate that marks her “second-innings” as an actor, Bhagyashree was further lured by the fact that the play is televised globally on Doordarshan. “Since it is being telecast across the globe, it will strike a chord with audiences of the Indian diaspora, all over the world.”

She says she busied herself with prep-work a week before jetting off to Ayodhya, earlier this week. “We are all aware of Tulsidas’ Ramayan. Preparing  for the character was not an issue. We paid a visit to the Ramlala and Hanuman Garhi [temples] to seek blessings. Unfortunately, because of a pre-committed shoot schedule, I am performing only for a day. But, it is still an experience that I will be grateful for.”