As audiences wait for Namit Malhotra's upcoming Ramayana film, another project is quietly taking shape — a documentary that will pull back the curtain on how the original television epic was made without any modern technology.
Shiv Sagar, grandson of legendary filmmaker-writer Ramanand Sagar who created the iconic 1987 television series Ramayan, is producing a documentary that will offer viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of the landmark show. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Shiv Sagar shared details about the project and the phenomenon that Ramayan became.
How Ramanand Sagar Created Ramayan Without Green Screen or VFX
The documentary will reveal the remarkable production methods used to create the epic series — all without the green screen or VFX technology that filmmakers rely on today. According to Bollywood Hungama, the documentary focuses on the behind-the-scenes process of how the series was made, showing the ingenuity and hard work that went into bringing the Ramayan to television screens.
Shiv Sagar explained why the story still matters: "Even after 36 years, there's a lot of interest in grandfather's Ramayan. It continues to be relevant."
The Massive Crowds That Gathered Daily Outside the Studio
One of the most striking revelations from the interview is the scale of public interest during the original production. Shiv Sagar revealed that the series drew enormous crowds wherever it was being filmed.
"30,000 to 40,000 people would gather outside the studio EVERYDAY from ALL over India…" — Shiv Sagar, as told to Bollywood Hungama
This level of public devotion shows just how deeply the series connected with audiences across the country — a connection that the documentary aims to explore and explain.
Documentary Release Timing and the Ramayana Connection
The documentary is being produced ahead of Namit Malhotra's Ramayana, which has generated significant buzz among moviegoers. The timing appears deliberate — offering audiences a chance to understand the original television phenomenon before experiencing the new cinematic adaptation.
For those who grew up watching the 1987 series, the documentary promises a nostalgic look back. For younger viewers, it offers a window into a time when television production required creativity and resourcefulness rather than digital effects.
Our Take: Why This Documentary Matters
In our view, this documentary fills an important gap. The 1987 Ramayan is more than just a television show — it is a cultural milestone that brought millions of Indians together. Understanding how it was made without the tools modern filmmakers take for granted makes that achievement even more impressive.
The revelation about 30,000 to 40,000 people gathering daily outside the studio speaks to something deeper than entertainment. It shows how the series became a shared national experience at a time when television was still finding its footing in India.
As Namit Malhotra's Ramayana prepares to bring the epic to a new generation with all the advantages of modern filmmaking, this documentary will remind audiences of the original vision that started it all — and the man who made it possible with nothing more than creativity, dedication, and an understanding of what the story meant to the people of India.
We look forward to seeing how the documentary captures this remarkable chapter in television history.
