A TV Phenomenon Like No Other
- This TV show recorded the highest TRP
- Received 8,50,00,00,000 views in just 25 days
- Budget per episode: ₹40 lakh
- The serial is… Ramayan
Carving a Place in Every Heart
- The show succeeded in making a special place in the hearts of the audience
- It resonated deeply with the masses
- Soon, Ramayan became one of the top-rated shows on Indian television
Television in the 70s and 80s: A New Era
- Television was gaining popularity in India during the 1970s and 1980s
- One show — Ramayan — rattled the entire population, bringing the country together
A Nation Glued to Their Screens
- Crowds gathered in homes, streets, and public spaces to watch every episode
- People stood at work just to catch a glimpse
- Buses and trains were delayed because the entire nation was watching
- Truly, Ramayan had people glued to their television sets
Ramanand Sagar: The Visionary Behind Ramayan
- Produced and directed by Ramanand Sagar
- Based on Valmiki’s Ramayan and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas
- Sagar reportedly researched 14 different versions of the Ramayan to present the story authentically
Broadcast History & Legacy
- The series aired on Doordarshan starting January 25, 1987
- Aired over 78 episodes
- Episodes were telecast at 9:30 AM — a time when people would gather in large numbers
Lockdown Re-run & Record Viewership
- Re-run during the 2020 lockdown
- Watched by 7.7 crore people, reaffirming its timeless appeal
Stars Made Immortal by the Show
- Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhalia, Dara Singh, and Arvind Trivedi became household names
- The characters of Ram, Sita, Laxman, Hanuman, and Ravana left a lasting impact
Production Highlights
- Filmed at Umargaon near Mumbai
- Used agarbattis for smoke and paper-made mountains as sets
- Each episode cost ₹9 lakh, while Doordarshan earned ₹40 lakh per episode
Unmatched Popularity
- Viewership during 1987-88 reached 82%
- More than 65 crore people watched the original run
- Ramayan broke all TRP records
