Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia Return as Modern-Day 'Ram and Sita' in Prasar Bharati’s OTT Film 'Notice'

Thirty-nine years after capturing the hearts of millions in Ramanand Sagar’s legendary television epic Ramayan, India's most beloved on-screen couple—Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia—are finally reuniting on screen. Bringing back the timeless aura that once emptied Indian streets every Sunday morning, the iconic duo will once again portray a husband and wife, though in a completely contemporary setting. Instead of a theatrical release, their highly anticipated upcoming film, titled 'Notice', is set to premiere directly on streaming platforms in November, offering fans across the country a chance to witness their magical on-screen chemistry in a modern narrative.Plot and Theme of 'Notice': A Modern-Day Retelling Centered on JusticeDirected by Pradeep Gupta in his directorial debut and produced by Aditya Pratap Singh Raghuvanshi, Notice brings a socially relevant story to the digital screen:The 150-Year-Old Shop: According to reports, the film's plot revolves around a historical 150-year-old shop, capturing the struggles of individuals displaced from their homes and livelihoods due to urban development and displacement.A Contemporary Ramayan: Producer Aditya Pratap Singh Raghuvanshi explained the significance of casting the legendary duo, stating that where questions of truth and falsehood clash in society, the presence of Ram and Sita is essential, effectively framing the movie as a modern-day Ramayan.Releasing on Prasar Bharati’s WAVES OTT Platform and Satellite TVThe makers opted for a digital-first release strategy to maximize grassroots accessibility across India:Streaming on WAVES: Notice will premiere on WAVES, Prasar Bharati’s official OTT streaming platform launched at IFFI Goa in November 2024.Deep Rural and Mobile Reach: Explaining the platform choice, the producer noted that while cinematic audiences often lean toward urban mindsets, Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia command an immense fan base across television and mobile viewers, ensuring the movie reaches households nationwide. Additionally, the film's promotional notice will air across 36 satellite channels.Arun Govil’s Double Treat: From Playing King Dasharatha in Nitesh Tiwari’s 'Ramayan'November 2026 will be a landmark month for Arun Govil, as he appears in two major projects connected to the epic:Transitioning to King Dasharatha: Alongside Notice, Arun Govil—who immortalized Lord Rama on television—will be seen playing King Dasharatha in director Nitesh Tiwari’s mega-budget cinematic adaptation of 'Ramayan'.Star-Studded Ensemble: Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming theatrical magnum opus features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Mother Sita, alongside an elite ensemble cast including Yash, Ravi Dubey, Sunny Deol, Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakulpreet Singh, and Vivek Oberoi, with production led by Namit Malhotra.A Look Back at Ramanand Sagar’s Historic 'Ramayan' PhenomenonThe enduring legacy of Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia dates back to Doordarshan’s historic broadcast of Ramayan between 1987 and 1988:Unmatched Popularity: Their divine portrayals resonated so deeply with audiences that viewers worshipped them off-screen as real-life incarnations of Lord Rama and Sita.Cultural Milestone: The Sunday morning broadcast created an unprecedented cultural phenomenon where markets and streets would fall completely silent as families gathered around their television sets.