Arvind Trivedi, Ravana in Ramanand Sagar's teleserial Ramayan, dies at 82

Actor Arvind Trivedi, who was known throughout the country for his performance as Ravana in the Ramanand Sagar television serial Ramayan (1987), died yesterday in Mumbai of a heart attack. He was 82.

The news was confirmed by the actor's nephew, Kaustubh Trivedi, to The Indian Express newspaper. "Arvind uncle was not keeping well and his health had deteriorated in the last couple of years," Kaustubh told the paper. "He passed away on Tuesday night around 9:30pm after suffering a heart attack. He was 82 years old. He went peacefully at his home in Kandivali [in northwest Mumbai], surrounded by his family."

The actor's last rites took place at the Dahanukarwadi cremation ground in Kandivali early today.

Besides being the antagonist in Ramayan, Trivedi was part of another popular television serial, Vikram Aur Betaal (1985). This serial, too, was produced by Ramanand Sagar and featured Arun Govil, who played Ram in Ramayan, as king Vikramaditya.

Govil shared his condolences for the actor on social media. 

The entire cast of Ramayan took to social media to condole the demise of the senior actor. Sunil Lahri, who played Lakshman in the series, also shared the news on Instagram.

While television brought Trivedi national prominence, he was a well-known name in Gujarati theatre and cinema for over four decades. Actress Dipika Chikhalia, who played Sita in the television serial, also shared her sadness at his death.

Arvind Trivedi was chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between 2002 and 2003.