Ramayans Sita denies asking for Padma Award from government

17 May 2020

On Wednesday the nation woke up to Ramayans favouriteSita,DipikaChiklia being quoted in a Hindi daily, ??? ???? ????????????? ???'??????' ???????????????????? ??????? ?? ????????????????????????????? (if theModigovernment feels that Ramayanhas contributed to India culture then we should be honoured with the Padmaaward).On hearing this statement, there was a widespread hue and cry among the fans and well-wishers of the serial. A Union Minister on oath of anonymity observed, Ive never heard of an artiste lobbying for his or her own Padmaaward. Let the Government decide whom it wants to honour.In a startling twist to the controversy Dipikacompletely denied having lobbied for her ownPadma. I never said that I should be given thePadmaaward. People are twisting my words. The topic (of getting thePadmaaward) never came to me. It was directed atArun Govil only. I was asked about the royalty from the latest telecast of Ramayan. And yes, I did say we should get royalty. It wasArunjiwho spoke about thePadmaawards, and that too because he was asked about it, says Dipika in an exclusive chat with me.