‘No chapati… only rice rice’: Vidya Balan recreates Ramanan from Punjabi House, fans applaud | VIDEO

In Malayalam cinema, Punjabi House remains one of the most beloved comedies of all time and at the heart of its endless humour is the iconic character Ramanan, played by Harisree Ashokan. No matter how many times fans watch it, Ramanan’s innocence and hilarious antics continue to evoke laughter, cementing him as a timeless icon of Malayalam humour.

Bollywood star Vidya Balan has now recreated one of Ramanan’s most popular scenes from the movie. In a reel that she shared, Vidya perfectly enacts the iconic line where Ramanan pleads, “Chapathi nahi… choru choru…” (Not chapati… rice, rice…). The reel has already gone viral, drawing wide appreciation from fans who have showered her with praise in the comments. Many noted how Vidya pulled off the scene with remarkable charm and comic timing.

Punjabi House, directed by the Rafi-Mecartin duo and released in 1998, was one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of that year. It was a breakthrough film for Dileep, firmly establishing him as a lead actor. For Cochin Haneefa too, the film became a turning point with his memorable portrayal of Gangadharan, opening up a new chapter for him in comedy roles.

The film also gifted audiences a cast of characters that remain evergreen, with performances from legendary actors like Thilakan, Lal, Mohini, Jomol, Janardhanan, N.F. Varghese, and Indrans, all of whom etched their roles into the hearts of Malayalam film lovers forever.