The Legendary Director Ramanand Sagar and His Shows

Chandramauli Chopra, who is professionally known as Ramanand Sagar, was a legendary Indian filmmaker, editor, poet, and author known for making the top-rated television show Ramayan which aired between 1987 to 1988.

As per a story told by his son on an Indian television show that 1975-76 during the shooting of his film “Charas” at the border of Switzerland and France they were staying at a hotel. It is when Ramanand Sagar first saw the color tv which Inspired him a lot and gave him the idea of making shows for the Indian masses based on Indian mythologies and Gods in which he wanted to make shows on Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, and Goddess Durga.

He was so dedicated to making these shows that he first decided to make trial shows to test the procedure of making and also introduce Indian audiences to the concept.

Ramanand Sagar’s first movie was Barsaat where he worked as a writer but as director, his debut film was in 1953 released Mehmaan. Till the making of Ramayan, he was already known as a well-celebrated director in the Indian film Industry.

Ramanand Sagar’s First Show

Vikram Aur Betaal is the first show that Ramanand Sagar made before the making of his Legendry project Ramayan.

Vikram Aur Betaal aired on DD National in 1985. The series is based on Baital Pachisi which is a collection of tales and Indian Stories.

It is said that this 26 episodes series gave all the experience and understanding that Ramanand Sagar and his team required to make the Ramayan.

Shows made by Ramanand Sagar

Ramanand sagar made many shows. It is also believed that it took Ramanand Sagar a decade to master the skills required to make Epic shows like Ramayan. From 1975 he was working on the project. In his lifetime Ramanand Sagar made 9 shows.

1. Vikram Aur Betaal – 1985-86

A collection of stories based on the famous Baital Pachisi which is a collection of stories narrated in a single story frame. Ramanand Sagar directed and produced the show.

2. Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniyan – 1986-87

A collection of Indian stories, mostly mythological stories.

3. Ramayan – 1987-88

Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, TV series was and is the most popular Epic Indian television show. The serial is based on the ancient Indian Epic Ramayana.

It was so popular at the time that the street becomes empty and shops closed every week to watch the series on TV sets.

The cast of Ramayan became so popular that people used to consider and respect them as deities.

4. Luv Kush – 1988-89

Luv Kush was the sequal of Ramayan.

5. Shri Krishna – 1993

Ramanand Sagar’s Krishna was of the most popular Epic Indian television shows based on the life of lord Krishna.

6. Alif Laila – 1993

Alif Laila was based on One thousand and one nights, also known as the Arabian Nights. It is a 143 episodes series first aired in 1993

7. Jai Maha Lakshmi – 1997

Jai Maha Lakshmi was based on the Goddess Lakshmi, The god of wealth and fortune.

8. Jai Ganga Maiya – 1998

Jai Ganga Maiya was based on Goddess Ganga.

9. Sai Baba – 2005

Sai Baba was based on Shridi Sai baba stories.

There was no one like Ramanand Sagar who chose Television as his mode to show the Epics on a large scale making the stories immortal.