When 'Rama' became 'Ravana'

After reading the article - 30 Years Have Passed And This Is How The Ramayana Cast Looks Like Now

Nostalgia....

I watched neither Ramayana or Mahabharata back then. We did not (choose to) have a TV till 1991. We spent our times doing something better....reading or doing something more productive than watching the idiot box. But, I must be grateful to those popular serials on Sunday mornings. During that one hour on Sunday morning, all hair cutting saloons in the town used to be totally empty. I timed my monthly trims to match those magic hours. Full empty. No 'ಪಾಳಿ ಹಚ್ಚೋದು' (prior booking) needed. No waiting either. Just walk in and the hairstylist (euphemism for country barber) would start working on your skull :) Full time saving

There was a funny incident reported in news papers around that time. Some people in Dharwad wanted to cash in on the popularity of 'Rama' actor. They organized some show and invited him as the celebrity chief guest. Of course for a hefty fee. Tickets were sold like crazy. People also bought like crazy. Mostly to see Rama in person and to support a good cause. 'Rama' flew in from Bombay to Belgaum or Goa and then came to Dharwad in a car. As usual a few hours late. People who had gathered at the 'Kala Bhavan' auditorium were going berserk at the delay. The organizers were having hard time keeping people pacified and calm. After reaching Dharwad, Rama threw usual celebrity tantrums. He complained about everything from hotel room to food. What did he ask for? Chicken! Chicken! Where is chicken? I want my chicken. Only after he was fed chicken from some place at that ungodly hour, he agreed to come to the auditorium. There he repeated some stale dialogs, did some tired acting and left. Just few minutes. That's it. Crowd went mad and demanded their money back. The organizers had to return money to many people. Big loss for the organizers who had hoped they would raise good amount of money for a good cause. Rama had become Ravana! :) lol