‘Ramanand Sagar's iconic Ramayan was nearly shelved, slapped with 175 cuts': Varun Badola reveals he was ‘stopped from quoting Ramcharitmanas'
Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan is one of the most watched shows in Indian television history, with its re-runs still airing on the Doordarshan network. While it's now considered to be an evergreen classic, the show was nearly shelved. Actor, director and writer Varun Badola, known for his popular roles on television, sat down for an interview and shared some anecdotes about the television industry.
In an appearance on the YouTube show Zindagi with Richa, Badola talked about his time in television, and his transition into OTT. Among the many stories he shared, he was very vocal about the practices of network executives and what all goes into getting a show on air. He revealed how his vision seldom aligned with the makers' and said, 'The first thing we are always told on TV is that the show has to be aspirational. Either I was taught a very different meaning of that word, or I didn't understand the makers.'
ALSO READ: Varun Badola answers if Ekta Kapoor ruined Indian television forever, says he spoke to her about it: 'Sunne waalon mein se nahi hai'
He gave an example of how too much red tape can be harmful for the business and talked about how the iconic Ramayan series was stuck on a shelf for reasons he never understood. He said, 'I can give you first hand information regarding this, that a show like Ramayan had 175 cuts prepared. Ramanand Sagar himself made those 175 cuts and told me. Yet they did not want to air the show for reasons best known to them.' The actor added that people start walking on eggshells when it comes to stories with religious backdrops, and blamed it on the 'rudimentary and archaic' thinking of people. The type of thinking which led makers of a certain show to stop Badola for quoting the epic Ramcharitmanas.
'I wanted to use a quote from the Ramcharitmanas, and they were completely against it and told me that it wasn't allowed. Their explanations were very weird, and they told me that I could use any one obscure line written by Kabir, but I couldn't use the entire doha,' added Badola.
Badola has made a successful transition from daily soap operas to web series on OTT platforms with appearances in shows like Guns and Gulaabs (2023), Your Honour (2020), and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen (2024). He also starred in Sky Force (2025) alongside Akshay Kumar and debutant Veer Pahariya.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Aamir Khan breaks down recalling his decision to quit films: 'I knew what my directors' dreams and fears were, but not my own children's'
Before the release of Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan broke down in tears while speaking about a deeply personal phase in his life, one where he contemplated walking away from films to make up for the time he felt he lost with his children and family. The superstar, who has been a part of Indian cinema for over three decades, shared that the Covid-19 pandemic was a turning point that made him reassess his priorities. 'I had not given them any time' Aamir recounted how, during the lockdown, he realised just how much he had neglected his personal life in pursuit of his career. 'All these 18 years of my life were filled with passion, magic and a craze for creativity,' he said in an emotional appearance on Aap Ki Adalat. 'But I was 56, and I started thinking — what have I done with my family, my children, my ammi, and my siblings? I had not given them any time.' With tears in his eyes, the Dangal star shared that his children Ira and Junaid were already in their twenties, and he had no idea what their childhood dreams or insecurities were. 'I knew what my directors' (Ashutosh Gowariker) dreams and fears were, but not my own children's. When I realised this, I was depressed for three days.' Aamir's decision to quit and what changed his mind It was during this time that Aamir decided Laal Singh Chaddha would be his last film. He informed his family and even called Sitaare Zameen Par director RS Prasanna to step away from acting in the project. But it was his children, and ex-wife Kiran Rao, who eventually pulled him back. 'Junaid told me, 'Papa, you're being an extremist. Earlier you gave everything to films, and now you want to give everything to us. There's a middle path.'' Ira, too, expressed that he had already spent significant time with them, and they had their own lives to lead. Kiran, visibly moved, told Aamir, 'You are a child of cinema. If you leave films, you'll leave us too. Don't do that.' Their words struck a chord. Aamir Khan, Gauri & Azad Steal the Spotlight at Sitaare Zameen Par Premiere Aamir's promise: 'I will never leave cinema' When Aamir was asked if he could now promise fans that he wouldn't leave films again, the actor responded with conviction, 'I want to promise here, in this show, I will never leave the film industry. Whatever I am today is because of the affection of my fans. I am grateful to all. I thank the Almighty for granting me this. I am grateful to my country, my soil and my people.'
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Box Office: Housefull 5 nets Rs 159 crore at end of third weekend, business hit by Sitaare Zameen Par
Akshay Kumar's Housefull 5 witnessed a major dent in its third weekend because of Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par. The comedy caper directed by Tushar Mansukhani has registered an average third weekend by clocking just Rs 6.90 crore net. Housefull 5 collects Rs 2.90 crore on 3rd Sunday, cume reaches Rs 159 crore Released on June 6, Housefull 5 is showing a downward trajectory at the box office ever since Aamir Khan's sports comedy drama took charge. After collecting Rs 114.4 crore in its opening week and Rs 37.35 crore in its second week, the Akshay Kumar starrer could add just Rs 6.90 crore to the tally on its third weekend. It entered the third weekend by collecting Rs 1.60 crore on Friday, followed by Rs 2.40 crore on Saturday. As per estimates, the movie is likely to end up netting over Rs 2.90 crore on Sunday. The total cume of Housefull 5 now stands at Rs 158.90 crore net at the Indian box office. Housefull 5 targets an end at Rs 170 crore, set to turn an average affair Bankrolled by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, the movie is heading to finish its domestic theatrical run around Rs 170 crore net. Though this is not an ideal ending for an Akshay Kumar movie, it should have done Rs 200 crore at least. However, it is a reasonable figure for a movie that opened majorly to mixed-bag reactions. The movie is expected to achieve its break-even by the end of its theatrical run. However, it will end up bagging an average verdict. Moreover, its lifetime business will be less than its previous part, Housefull 4. The Day Wise Net India Collections Of Housefull 5 In India Are As Under Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more. Disclaimer: The box office figures are compiled from various sources and our research. The figures can be approximate, and Pinkvilla does not make any claims about the authenticity of the data. However, they are adequately indicative of the box-office performance of the films in question.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Desi Boyz take over Oxford as Bollywood beats light up historic halls in viral dance video
In a stunning fusion of East and West, a group of desi boys brought Bollywood beats to the historic halls of Oxford. Led by Druv Punjabi, their viral dance video features high-energy moves filmed at Lady Margaret Hall and other campus landmarks. The performance has earned praise online for its creativity, confidence, and powerful display of cultural pride. Oxford University witnessed an unexpected cultural crossover as alumnus Druv Punjabi and his crew filmed a lively Bollywood dance video to Desi Boyz across its iconic campus. From Lady Margaret Hall to stone pathways, the reel blends Indian energy with British legacy, going viral on Instagram and winning hearts for its joyful celebration of desi identity in elite spaces. (Screenshots: Instagram/ druvphk ) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Oxford Gets a Taste of Bollywood' A Cultural Rewriting of Legacy Spaces Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads It's not every day that the ancient, ivy-covered walls of Oxford University groove to a Bollywood beat. But on June 21, 2025, that's exactly what happened — virtually, at least — when alumnus Druv Punjabi and his crew unleashed a vibrant, high-energy dance video shot across some of Oxford's most iconic spots. The song of choice? None other than the foot-tapping anthem Desi Boyz Posted on Instagram via @druvphk, the video features a group of young men in modern outfits executing flawless Bollywood choreography in locations like Lady Margaret Hall , gardens, stone corridors, and open courtyards — the kind of places more accustomed to academic robes than dance rehearsals. In a perfect clash of cultures, the video showcases what happens when the traditions of one of the world's oldest universities meet the charisma and colour of Indian cinema The video caption itself set the tone: 'Check out this incredible Bollywood dance video filmed at Lady Margaret Hall and other iconic Oxford spots – created by alumnus Druv Punjabi and crew 🕺'. Since its posting, it has racked up over 30,000 views and hundreds of heartwarming reactions celebrating the cultural fusion Netizens have been quick to cheer on the crew. One user wrote, 'God bless you Desi Boys — lovely to see Indian culture coming through at the University of Oxford ❤️'. Another gushed, 'Oxford gets a taste of Bollywood 🔥', while a third joked, 'Aah Bollywood making it to Oxford halls, seriously vocal for local working guys 😂'. The enthusiasm only amplified with comments like 'The halls of Oxford University echoing with Bollywood mashups 🙌❤️'.What makes the video special isn't just the choreography or the catchy track — it's the powerful symbolism behind the spectacle. Oxford, often seen as a bastion of Western academia, becomes a stage for South Asian pride and joyful cultural an era where cultural expression is often boxed into binaries of tradition and modernity, this video bursts through the frame with a colourful 'why not both?' The seamless blend of Oxford's regal surroundings with Bollywood's unmistakable energy creates a spectacle that's as moving as it is the 30,000 views and countless shares are impressive, what Druv Punjabi and his crew have pulled off is much more than a trending reel. It's a message: that identity is something to be danced with, celebrated, and fearlessly shared — even against the stone pillars of a 900-year-old institution.
