Mumbai, March 28: At a time when Indian cinema celebrates stories worthy of its heritage, the epic tale of Ramayana becomes increasingly relevant. Characters like Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman have gained immense popularity, alongside the infamous Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran. However, the pivotal character of Sugriva, the leader of Lord Ram’s monkey army, often goes unnoticed.
We have seen Sugriva portrayed in various films and television series centered around Ramayana, but the portrayal by Shyam Sundar Kalani in Ramanand Sagar’s adaptation remains unparalleled.
Currently, several mega-budget films focusing on Ramayana are in production. On Hanuman Jayanti, director and screenwriter Nitesh Tiwari may announce yet another multi-starrer film. When discussing Lord Ram’s army, the monkey army is essential, and without Sugriva, it is incomplete. Let’s delve into the life of Shyam Sundar Kalani, who brought Sugriva to life on screen.
It was nighttime in the dense forests of Umargaon, Gujarat, where the set for Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayana’ was established. The producers were searching for a face that could embody both the monkey king Sugriva and the formidable warrior Bali. Suddenly, a towering figure entered the set with unwavering confidence, declaring, “Please give me this role.” That figure was none other than Shyam Sundar Kalani, a real-life wrestler from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Born in Jabalpur, Kalani’s true passion was not cinema but the wrestling arena. As a professional wrestler and bodybuilder, he sculpted his physique like steel. In the 1980s, when VFX and computer graphics were nonexistent, directors needed real-life heroes to portray mythological giants and demons.
In Ramayana, Sugriva and Bali were brothers but sworn enemies. Portraying the arrogant Bali and the devoted Sugriva in the same series was no easy feat. However, Kalani’s true challenge was not psychological but technical.
Both characters were monkeys, requiring Kalani to wear heavy and suffocating prosthetics during filming. This made it difficult for him to deliver his dialogues. Deepika Chikhliya, who played Sita, mentioned in several interviews that Kalani was often asked to merely move his lips, as his dialogues were recorded later in a dubbing studio.
Numerous fascinating stories emerged from the set of ‘Ramayana.’ The friendship between Sugriva and Hanuman was evident on screen, but in real life, Kalani shared a deep bond with Dara Singh, who played Hanuman. Both were wrestlers, and Kalani often joked with Singh on set.
After ‘Ramayana,’ Kalani found himself typecast. His imposing physique did not fit modern roles, limiting his opportunities.
In March 2020, as the entire nation was confined to their homes due to the fear of COVID-19, ‘Ramayana’ was re-broadcast on Doordarshan. In just one weekend, 170 million viewers tuned in.
Fate played a cruel trick! As ‘Kishkindha Kanda’ aired, Kalani’s grand entry as Sugriva captivated the nation. At that very moment, news broke that he had passed away after battling cancer.
As Sugriva was born on screen, the actor who portrayed him was departing from this world. Arun Govil, who played Ram, paid tribute, stating, “He was a remarkable person and a true gentleman.”
Besides ‘Ramayana,’ Shyam Sundar Kalani also appeared in Hindi films such as ‘Heer Ranjha,’ ‘Trimurti,’ and ‘Chhailaa Babu.’ He contributed to stunt films as well.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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