Who is ‘Surpanakha’ from Ramanand Sagar Ramayana? Was paid Rs 30,000 for her role.., worked with Shah Rukh Khan and..,then suddenly disappeared, her name is…
Do you know this actress who once played Surpanakha, worked alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Jitendra, and later disappeared from the industry? Find her name inside.
In the glitzy and glamorous world of showbiz, many stars come and go, but there are a few faces that remain etched in the hearts of the audience for years to come. One such example of this is ‘Surpanakha‘ from Ramanand Sagar’s iconic Ramayan. Yes, the actress that we are talking about is none other than Renu Dhariwal. She soon became a household name after her iconic role of ‘Surpanakha.’ Despite being one of the most recognised TV faces, she suddenly vanished from the TV world.
How ‘Ramayan’ Changed Her Life
Telecasted 38 years ago on Doordarshan, Ramayan was not just a television show; it was a phenomenon. Each character from the show had its own fan base, and all left an impact. So much so that some actors like Arun Govil as Ram, Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, and Sunil Lahri as Lakshman were revered as divine figures. Among them was Renu Dhariwal, who played the role of Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, whose encounter with Ram and Lakshman sparked the epic war, bringing her massive fame. Her acting had so much conviction that at one point, the audience truly saw her as a real-life villain.
Renu’s Early Life and Career.
Hailing from a Punjabi family with no filmy connection, her father was s strict man with rules and regulations. However, it was her mother who had an interest in theatres, which inspired Renu to step into the acting world. To chase her dreams, Renu ran away from her home to Mumbai.
After arriving in Mumbai, she joined acting classes, where, by coincidence, Govinda was also a student. During a play, she even played Govinda’s mother when she was just 20–22 years old. This turned out to be a life-changing moment for her. Her performance caught Ramanand Sagar’s attention, and he immediately decided to cast her in Ramayan.
Dedication Behind the Role of Surpanakha
What’s interesting is that Renu not only got immense fame, but she also earned a fortune. As per reports, she received a fee of Rs 30,000 for the role of Surpanakha, which was a substantial amount in those days. But more than the money, it was her commitment that stood out. She spent months preparing for the character, burning the midnight oil to get into the character’s skin. Her transformation was so convincing that audiences found it hard to separate the actress from the character.
Her Short Film Career and Life After Acting
Before television, Renu had also worked in Hema Malini’s directorial film ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ in 1992, alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Divya Bharti, Dimple Kapadia, and Jeetendra. However, despite a great start, she soon drifted away from films and glamour. Now it has been 38 years since she last appeared on screen.
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