Arya Babbar drops out of Delhi Ramlila

After Puneet Issar was replaced by Gajendra Chauhan as Raavan in the Ramlila by the

Lav Kush Ramlila Committee

, there are more changes lined up.

Arya Babbar

, who was to play the character of Narad, is now no more a part of the Ramlila; the actor says he is busy with films and has no time for it. "I am busy shooting for films and so I won’t be able to perform at the Ramlila. I have returned their token money as a professional and I wish the team the best," Arya said, and refused to give any further details. But sources involved with the casting of actors in the Ramlila say that the reason behind Arya’s withdrawal are totally different. A source says that Arya’s father, Raj Babbar, being the UP Congress chief, was not okay with him performing at a Ramlila which also features BJP MP and actor Manoj Tiwari and might have other BJP leaders as attendees. It being the “BJP event” was something that didn’t go down too well with Arya’s father, we hear.

ALSO READ:
Gajendra Chauhan goes from Mahabharat’s Yudhishthir to Ramayan’s Raavan

Arya Babbar (L) in a poster of the Ramlila and Mukesh Tiwari as Naratak in a poster of the ramlila


Also, actor Mukesh Tiwari, who is already on one of the posters of the Ramlila (in the role of Naratak), says he never confirmed that he would be joining the cast. "I got a call two months back and I said that I won’t be a part of Ramlila. Neither did I confirm that I’d join them, nor was I keen to do it," he said.

Arjun Kumar

, secretary, Lav Kush Ramlila Committee, said, "We spoke to him once but he did not confirm it then. We were hoping that things might work out, but since there are only a few days left for the Ramlila now and we are beginning rehearsals, it is time to finalise things. So now, Puneet Issar, Mukesh Tiwari and Arya Babbar are not performing at the Ramlila."