VERSATILE ACTOR DALIP TAHIL MARKS HIS DEBUT IN A MYTHOLOGICAL SERIAL; PLAYS RAJA DASHRATH IN ‘SIYA KE RAM’

Versatile Actor Dalip Tahil Marks His Debut In A Mythological Serial; Plays Raja Dashrath In ‘Siya Ke Ram’

Mumbai: Versatile actor Dalip Tahil has marked his debut in a mythological serial by playing Raja Dashrath in the magnum opus “Siya Ke Ram”. The historical television drama will chronicle the journey of Ram and Sita as seen from the eyes of the latter, unlike the other version that has portrayed the journey only from Ram’s perspective. The series will also highlight the significance of the three queens of Raja Dashrath and their eventual roles in Lord Ram going into exile for 14 years.

“To play the part of Raja Dashrath and being part of the team of ‘Siya Ke Ram’ has been an absolute

privilege. The mythic series, based on Ramayana is way different than the previous version we may have seen on TV two decades ago. The series concentrates and showcases Sita’s saga rather than Ram’s. Not just Sita but also my three wives’ roles, especially Sumitra’s, have been accentuated and will come as a surprise to the audiences,” says Dalip Tahil.

Siya Ke Ram will be aired at 8pm, 16 November onwards.

“This is perhaps one of the few costume dramas that I have enjoyed thoroughly. Many new characters have been introduced in the show and the mythology which has been a rough diamond has been buffed and polished to perfection. I am positive that audiences will enjoy watching the series and am as much hopeful that they will appreciate my role in it,” concludes Mr. Tahil.

About Dalip Tahil: An Indian film, television and theatre actor Dalip Tahil did his schooling from the elite Sherwood College in Nainital, India. During his senior years at school, he won the prestigious 'Kendall Cup' for the best actor two years in succession. He was declared the best actor for a record third Time in 1969, his final year at Sherwood College. After moving along with his Family to Mumbai in 1968, Dalip Tahil joined the Theatre Group Bombay, and trained under Alyque & Pearl Padamsee. During one of the plays, film Director Shyam Benegal noticed him and offered him his first ever role in the film Ankur. Since then, he has played principal character roles, demonstrating his versatility and unique talent in over 100 Bollywood films.

Hat-Trick By Dalip Tahil In His Second Inning

Signs Up With Sudhir Mishra, Kunal Kohli & Madhur Bhandarkar

Mumbai: After a brief hiatus from the film industry following his relocation to London and a scarce presence in Indian cinema in the last few years, the stylish actor Dalip Tahil is back in the thick of Bollywood. Calendar year 2014 saw Dalip playing the pivotal role of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in Shyam Benegal’s magnum opus tele series ‘Samvidhan’ and an experimental role in Sajid-Farrad’s ‘Entertainment’, besides debuting in a Tamil film.

These are to be followed by three big releases soon with the bad man of yore being signed up for the much awaited ‘Devdas’ by Sudhir Mishra in a principal role, besides Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Calendar Girls’ and Kunal Kohli’s ‘Phir Se’.

“The last few years I was shuttling between Mumbai and London. My focus on Bollywood was limited because of that. But now I am back and fully committed to the Indian film industry,” says the talented actor who made his mark in the international scene playing Dan Ferriera in the iconic BBC Television Drama 'Eastenders’. He also appeared in BBC’s, ‘Nuclear Secrets’, besides starring in the 'Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber' / 'A.R Rahman' musical 'Bombay Dreams' in which he performed in over 500 shows at The 'Appolo Theatre' Victoria in London, UK. Known for portraying powerful characters, Dalip Tahil had stood out for his performances in ‘Quyamat Se QayamatTak’, ‘Baazigar’ and ‘Kaho Na PyarHai’, among others.

“While I was not entirely absent from Bollywood, due to my limited appearances, I guess, one can say this

is my second innings,” laughs off Tahil. Last seen in the recently released Akshay Kumar starrer, ‘Entertainment’, Dalip Tahil had played the former’s father in a very experimental role. “Literally, I am present in one solitary scene. After that I am visible only through my photograph and references made to me by live characters. It certainly was not an average everyday role,” he quips.

“I cannot reveal anything about the new sign ups. But it will spring a surprise or two once the movies are released,” concludes DalipTahil.

About Dalip Tahil: An Indian film, television and theatre actor Dalip Tahil did his schooling from the elite Sherwood College in Nainital, India. During his senior years at school, he won the prestigious 'Kendall Cup' for the best actor two years in succession. He was declared the best actor for a record third Time in 1969, his final year at Sherwood College. After moving along with his Family to Mumbai in 1968, DalipTahil joined the Theatre Group Bombay, and trained under Alyque & Pearl Padamsee. During one of the plays, film Director Shyam Benegal noticed him and offered him his first ever role in the film Ankur. Since then, he has played principal character roles, demonstrating his versatility and unique talent in over 100 Bollywood films.

ACTING THROUGH A GARLANDED PHOTOGRAPH

It’s Entertainment

Mumbai: When Akshay Kumar starrer ‘It’s Entertainment’ hit the theatres last weekend, it was not just the handsome golden retriever – Junior, the wonder dog– that captured audience attention. Uncannily, (pun intendedJ) its master, Johari Sheth, also maintained a striking presence right through the film. And that too, as a garlanded photograph.

“Literally, I am present in one solitary scene. After that I am visible only through my photograph and references made to me by live characters,” says Dalip Tahil, who plays the role of Bangkok’s Indian origin diamond king Pannalal Johari. “It was a challenging role. How many people do you know who can act through a photograph? Emoting through the confines of a frame is not everybody’s cup of tea,” quips the actor light heartedly.

Tahil plays Akshay Kumar’s father who bequeaths his huge inheritance not to his son, but to his faithful dog, after he passes away. “My chemistry with the dog in the film was wonderful. Didn’t I after all make him the richest dog in the world,” teases the actor.

Known for portraying powerful characters, Dalip Tahil had stood out for his performances in Quyamat Se Qayamat Tak, Baazigar and Kaho Na Pyar Hai, among others. He is also credited with giving stand out performances in the 80s’ teleserial Buniyaad and the BBC classic East Enders. Lately he has been seen essaying the role of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in movies and TV shows that include Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Shyam Benegal’s magnum opus Samvidhan.

“When Ramesh Taurani approached me for ‘It’s Entertainment’, I was a bit skeptical. The cameo didn’t seem appealing at the first instance. Then I thought why not. It would be interesting to maintain presence purely through a garlanded picture. As it turned out, I am glad I took up this project,” concludes Dalip Tahil.

About Dalip Tahil: An Indian film, television and theatre actor Dalip Tahil did his schooling from the elite Sherwood College in Nainital, India. During his senior years at school, he won the prestigious 'Kendall Cup' for the best actor two years in succession. He was declared the best actor for a record third Time in 1969, his final year at Sherwood College. After moving along with his Family to Mumbai in 1968, Dalip Tahil joined the Theatre Group Bombay, and trained under Alyque & Pearl Padamsee. During one of the plays, film Director Shyam Benegal noticed him and offered him his first ever role in the film Ankur. Since then, he has played principal character roles, demonstrating his versatility and unique talent in over 100 Bollywood films.

Dalip Tahil As Pandit Nehru In Shyam Benegal’s Magnum Opus SAMVIDHAAN

Mumbai, Feb: “While we all know that Babasaheb Ambedkar framed one of the greatest Constitutions of the world – the Indian Constitution, very few of us know how it was created and fewer still the role played by Pandit Nehru and other leaders of the era. Today, not many can visualize the exciting backdrop on which the Constitution was created. When work was first started in December 1946, India was on the cusp of freedom. The nation was throbbing with raw energy, in an atmosphere of purpose, optimism, vision and teamwork. In a way, all of these are reflected in our Constitution,” says Dalip Tahil, the veteran actor who plays the role of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the magnum opus TV show.

The ten part series on the making of the Constitution of India, Saamvidhan was premiered recently at Parliament Library, New Delhi amid the presence of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Leader of Opposition in the RajyaSabha Arun Jaitley, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla, BJP Spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad and members of the current LokSabha and RajyaSabha. The show will be aired on RajyaSabha TV shortly. A re-creation of the constituent assembly of India that sat from December 1946 to November 1949, Saamvidhan marks the comeback of Shyam Benegal to television after such series as Yatra and Bharat Ek Khoj. The show has Sachin Khedekar playing Babasaheb Ambedkar and Neeraj Kabi as Mahatma Gandhi.

“I love prepping for roles. I had done a large part of my research and reading for playing the part of Panditji in ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and then a year later, when Saamvidhan was offered, I was more than happy to be a part of the series,” says Dalip Tahil who is now emerging as directors’ first choice for the role of Nehru. 

“Pandit Nehru was one of the most exciting characters of that era. Idealistic, visionary, well read and gifted with exceptional looks, he balanced the ideas of romanticism, conscience and science. The first cabinet of Independent India included even his adversaries like Shyamaprasad Mukherjee and Sir R K Shanmukham Chetty besides of course, Babasaheb Ambedkar,” he adds.

Interestingly, back in 1982 Dalip Tahil had played Zia, Jawaharlal Nehru’s friend, in the Richard Attenborough film, Gandhi and then three decades later is playing the part of Nehru himself. Also, veteran director, Shyam Benegal was the director for Tahil’s first movie Ankur.

“Understanding the process involved in the making of the Constitution, the challenges faced, and attention paid by the framers to the minutest details, will not only enable us to appreciate our Saamvidhan better, but also respect it,” concludes Tahil.

About Dalip Tahil: An Indian film, television and theatre actor Dalip Tahil did his schooling from the elite Sherwood College in Nainital, India. During his senior years at school, he won the prestigious 'Kendall Cup' for the best actor two years in succession. He was declared the best actor for a record third Time in 1969, his final year at Sherwood College. After moving along with his Family to Mumbai in 1968, Dalip Tahil joined the Theatre Group Bombay, and trained under Alyque & Pearl Padamsee. During one of the plays, film Director Shyam Benegal noticed him and offered him his first ever role in the film Ankur. Since then, he has played principal character roles, demonstrating his versatility and unique talent in over 100 Bollywood films.