Inside Story of Ramayan Telecast

Rajiv Gandhi had asked for Ramayan and the task was entrusted to two Bombay film makers, Ramanand Sagar and B.R. Chopra.

First Ramayana telecast starting from 25th January 1985  was instant success, but, there were strong objections and criticisms from the press and the bureaucrats to truncate the episode as early as possible.

Bhaskar Ghose - Sagarika Ghose's father & Doordarshan's Ex Director General – refused to give additional 26 weeks which would result in stoppage of the telecast midway.

Ghose’s dictatorship still did not end. He told Ramanand Sagar that by reducing the Hindu element in Ramayan, it could be made a little more secular so that it could be watched by diverse viewers.

Ramanand Sagar was not ready either to reduce the episodes or to compromise on the original texts and dialogues truthful to the scriptures as narrated by various authors – Valmiki, Kambar, Tulsi Das etc.

Hence Ramanand Sagar had approached H.K.L. Bhagat who was the Information and Broadcasting Minister at that time with his requests which were granted much to the relief of Ramanand Sagar.

This was inside story of Ramayana Telecast.

For full story please browse the link: https://swarajyamag.com/magazine/book-excerpt-how-ramanand-sagar-constructing-a-tele-kavya-for-the-ages