India, Nov. 10 -- When Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana was announced four years ago, everyone knew it would be compared with Ramanand Sagar's TV adaptation of the epic from the 80s. The show remains the most-watched Indian TV show of all time and set the benchmark for how the epic is to be adapted. Perhaps that is why director Nitesh Tiwari pulled off a casting coup when he cast Ramayan's OG Lord Rama, Arun Govil, as King Dashrath in his film. In a recent interview, Arun Govil revealed that he did not initially want to play King Dashrath and was only won over by the director's insistence.

Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, with Arun Govil essaying the role of his father, Ayodhya's King Dashratha. Talking about taking on the role, the ac...