MUMBAI, June 15: What happens when Ram gets tired of his traditional image? Why, he decides to follow in Ravana's footsteps, of course. That is exactly what our celluloid Ram, Arun Govil, is doing. After innumerable mythological roles, he has suddenly decided to step down from the lofty pedestal and become a common man. Govil is, currently, playing a writer who has a negative side to his character in the serial Aparijita (DD 1).

``I was trapped badly in my `Ram' image and have been wanting to break free for a long time. But I never found an opportunity,'' reveals Govil. The only break he got was in the serial Karavas (Zee) in which he played a criminal. But that was again a good samaritan-turned-criminal kind of role. And after a few episodes, the serial was taken off air.So what is he doing in Aparijita? ``I play a writer -- a womaniser, a hypocrite, an egoist. A guy who makes everyone around him unhappy. He talks about women's rights, but comes home and beats his wife,'' Govil explains.

In fact, many people insisted that he couldn't do justice to the role. And initially, even Govil had his share of doubts as he couldn't quite understand the character. Was this writer serious while wooing a girl, or was he doing it just for the sake of pataoing her? He seemed to flip every time he saw a girl, but ultimately she would show him his place and leave him.

Now Govil is enjoying playing the role as he believes the character is completely opposite to what he is as a person. ``I guess you are always in search of things you don't have. I enjoy portraying this character, though would never like to be like him,'' he hastily adds. Govil feels that there is nothing much for an actor to do in mythological roles. For instance, all he did in Uttar Ramayana was to pace the palace floors and cry over Sita.

So why is he still playing Lord Vishnu and Buddha? ``I am tired, but people are not. Now I am also doing what I want to, so there is something for the actor as well as for the audience. I am trying to strike a balance between the two,'' reasons Govil. He agrees that the quality of mythological serials has deteriorated. The recent serials stand nowhere near Mahabharat and Tipu Sultan, he feels. Therefore, he firmly sticks to his principle of selecting serials on the basis of the directors.

And now Ram has a confession to make: he denies rumours that he quit smoking and drinking during the making of Ramayana. Govil says,"It was just that I didn't do it in front of people. My personal requirements are my own. Once I remove the make-up, I am myself." But the fact remains that he did quit smoking, though it was not during Ramayana, he insists.

After Aparajita changes his public image, would Govil return to saintly ways? "The charm of playing God is gone. There is not much creativity, as all movements are restrained. But in a common man's role you have the freedom to experiment," says Govil. Playing Ravana is out of the question, as he feels that his personality won't suit the role. But if a director looks at Ravana with a different perspective, he might just agree to do it on an experimental basis....

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.