Actor Shyamsundar Kaalaani, who played Sugriva in 'Ramayan', passes away
What's the story
TV actor Shyamsundar Kaalaani, who played the role of Sugriva and Bali, in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, has passed away. The actor breathed his last on March 26 in Kalka near Haryana's Panchkula, according to a report in NDTV. He had been battling cancer for a long time now, per family sources. Fellow Ramayan co-stars Arun Govil and Sunil Lahri mourned his demise.
Details
Arun Govil shared the news on Twitter, earlier today
Earlier today, Arun Govil, who famously played the pivotal role of Lord Ram in the serial, took to social media to share the news. The 61-year-old wrote, "Sad to know about demise of Mr. Shyam Sundar who played the role of Sugreev in Ramanand Sagar's "Ramayan"... A very fine person and a gentleman. May his soul rest in peace (sic)."
Twitter Post
You can read Govil's tweet here
Sad to know about demise of Mr. Shyam Sundar who played the role of Sugreev in Ramanand Sagar’s “Ramayan”... A very fine person and a gentleman. May his soul rest in peace.
— Arun Govil (@arungovil12) April 9, 2020
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God give peace to his soul: 'Lakshman' Sunil Lahri
Sunil Lahri, who played the role of Lakshman in the mega-series, also tweeted his condolences. The actor penned, "Very sad and sorry to hear sudden demise of our colleague... God give peace to his soul and strength to his family to face irrecoverable loss....RIP (sic)."
Twitter Post
Here is the tweet from Lahri
Very sad and sorry to hear sudden demise of our colleague Mr Shyam Kalani who played role of sugriv and Bali with us in Ramayan God give peace to his soul and strength to his family to face irrecoverable loss.... RIP🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/JaWd5oNGpv
— Sunil lahri (@LahriSunil) April 9, 2020
Sugriva
Who was Sugriva in Ramayan?
While he did several other roles in TV serials and films, Kaalaani was best known for the dual role of Sugriva and Bali. In the Hindu epic Ramayan, on which the show is based, Sugriva and Bali were brothers. Sugriva was the ruler of the kingdom of Kishkindha. He aided Lord Ram in his quest to liberate his wife Sita from captivity.
Re-telecast
Meanwhile, 'Ramayan' is back on TV with a bang
The unfortunate news comes at a time when the epic show Ramayan is back on TV for re-telecast during ongoing nationwide lockdown. The series originally aired in the late 1980s. Upon its return, the show has witnessed massive viewership. In its first weekend, it garnered a record-breaking 17 crore viewers. The show airs at 9 am and 9 pm everyday on DD National.