“The book is my putra dharma”, says renowned cinematographer Prem Sagar at the launch of his latest book-a memoir of his father, 'An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar'
The original star cast of Ramanand Sagar’s record breaking TV series Ramayan- Dipika Topiwala (Sita), Arun Govil (Lord Rama), Sunil Lahiri (Lakshman), Sameer Razda (Shatrughna) and Vindu Dara Singh-son of Dara Singh (Hanuman) were present to grace the launch evening!
Mumbai: Chronicling the life of a visionary, the award winning cinematographer and son Prem Sagar unveiled a memoir of his father, “An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar” at Mumbai city. The grand evening of the launch of the book was graced with the presence of the original star cast of Ramanand Sagar’s record breaking TV series Ramayan- Dipika Topiwala, the Indian actress who rose to fame playing Devi Sita; Arun Govil, best known for playing Lord Rama; Sunil Lahiri, who played the role of Lakshman; ` Sameer Razda, most famous for playing Shatrughna; and most importantly Vindu Dara Singh, S/o Dara Singh as Hanuman. Alongside the star cast, the event also witnessed the editor of the TV series, Subash Sehgal and Cameraman Ajit Naik.
Published by Westland Publications (an Amazon Company), the book gives insights into the incredible life of Ramanand Sagar from his birth in Lahore to his magnificent achievement in Ramayan.
The highbrow launch event witnessed startling discussions on life of his birth in Lahore in 1917, his dramatic escape in 1947 when Pakistani tribesmen attacked the state, his arrival in Bombay and his subsequent glorious career. The conversation also revolved around how Ramanand Sagar escaped administrative hurdles to deliver the Ramayan series. What will history remember Ramanand Sagar as? Prem Sagar’s book may provide same answer.
Feeling nostalgic on the launch of his father’s memoire, Prem Sagar commented, “I cannot express the emotions that came across while penning down the book. This book is a tribute to my father, Padmashri Ramanand Sagar. Throughout my father’s years in journalism and an author of stories, stage plays & films, his role as a producer and director of big blockbusters were all a step towards his final goal of bringing Ramayana to television viewers throughout the world. The book is my putra dharma.”
Gracing the launch event, Vindu Dara Singh stated, “I vividly recall the time my father was approached for the role of Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. It was intriguing and as a child one always wonders how the characters of any supernatural orientation manage to fly to the rescue. I experienced the making of Ramayan and witnessed Ramanand Sagar diligently working towards fulfilling his vision. I am not an avid reader but this book takes me back to those nostalgic memories which I still cherish.”
Famously known for playing Lord Rama in Late Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, Arun Govil expressed his feelings by saying, “I consider it as a privilege to have worked under such a respected and legendary man. We have come quite far from the early days of Ramayan but it is today that I realized the strong connect I share with my other co-stars, the Sagar family and everyone involved in making of Ramayan. This book not only brings back memories from our days of shoot but also finally gives us a chance to get a better understanding of Ramanand Sagar vision back then.”
From a clapper boy in the silent movie "Raiders of the Rail Road" in 1936, Dr. Ramanand Sagar rose to be a successful film maker, writer, director & producer to be reckoned with. He not only mastered the art of cinema, but also entertained the masses in the long run.
The book reveals the sensitive truths-political, personal or miracles of Ramanand Sagar’s life journey and his divine mission of making the legendary TV serial Ramayan.
On 25 January 1987, with the telecast of the very first episode of Ramayan, Indian television changed for all time to come. In a matter of weeks, the series became a national obsession. During the Ramayan slot, roads emptied out. No marriages and political rallies were scheduled for that time. More than three decades later, there has been nothing to match it.
RAMANAND SAGAR, the man behind the phenomenon and a successful filmmaker from Bombay, was among the first to recognize the immense power of television. He first made his mark as a writer in Raj Kapoor’s Barsat (1949). From 1961 to 1970, Sagar wrote, produced and directed six consecutive silver jubilee hits—Ghunghat, Zindagi, Arzoo, Ankhen, Geet and Lalkar. As an independent film writer he wrote about 29 films He established his own film production company "Sagar Art Corporation" in 1950. As a visionary man, he foresaw that TV will ultimately surpass the big screen.The realization that it was the right medium that brought families together to watch respectable programs, He along with his sons took the biggest stride in TV history which gave them international recognition.
Prem Sagar began his career as a cinematographer with Ramanand Sagar’s Lalkar (1970) soon after completing his education from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune where he was a recipient of a gold medal for the best academic student of the year and a silver medal for the best photographed student film.
He was associated as a cinematographer or technical adviser with several popular and memorable films of Sagar Arts, including Charas, Bhagawat, Hamrahi, Pyara Dushman, Armaan, Jalte Badan, Badal, Prem Bandhan and Salma. He then turned director with Hum Tere Ashiq Hain.
In the Eighties Prem Sagar produced and directed Indian television’s first fantasy serial, Vikram aur Betaal. Closely associated with the show Ramayan, Sagar went on to have an extremely successful career in television being associated with shows like Shri Krishna, Sai Baba, Prithviraj Chauhan and Chandra Gupta Maurya in various creative capacities. He also directed Jai Maa Durga, Mahima Shani Dev Ki, Jai Jai Jai Bajrang Bali and Basera.
Prem Sagar has to his credit a total of fifteen awards as Director of Photography and many accomplishments in the field of still photography. The honours include the prestigious associateship of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain and the Artiste Federation Internationale de L’Arts Photographique Paris.
About book
The recently released biography of Late Dr. RamanandSagar by Westend publications, a branch of Amazon India is written by his son, Mr. PremSagar titled, “An Epic Life – RamanandSagar, From Barasaat to Ramayan”. The poignant book contains the personal memoirs written by a devoted son for his loving and ideal father.
An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar, From Barsaat to Ramayan, written by his son, Prem Sagar, an award-winning cinematographer, is an intimate look at the life of a visionary. It traces Sagar’s life from his birth in Lahore in 1917, his dramatic escape in 1947 when Pakistani tribesmen attacked the state, his arrival in Bombay and his subsequent glorious career—the crowning achievement of which was the smashing success of Ramayan.
