Ramayan (1987)
Ramanand Sagar's monumental retelling of the ancient Hindu epic, bringing the divine journey of Lord Ram to millions of Indian homes.
Ramayan - Series Information
- Original Title: रामायण
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 1988
- Created by: Ramanand Sagar
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure, Family
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 35 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 79
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: Hindi
- Networks: DD National
- Production Companies: Sagar Pictures Entertainment
- Production Countries: India
- Alternative Titles: सम्पूर्ण रामायण (IN)
Ramayan - Plot
Ramayan is a highly successful and phenomenally popular Indian epic television series created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The 78 episode series originally aired weekly on Doordarshan from 25 January 1987, to 31 July 1988, on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. IST. It is a television adaptation of the ancient Indian Hindu religious epic of the same name and is primarily based on Valmiki's Ramayan and Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas. It is also partly derived from portions of Kamban's Ramavataram and other works.
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Ramayan - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ramanand Sagar
Main Cast
- Arun Govil
- Deepika Chikhalia
- Sunil Lahri
- Dara Singh
- Lalita Pawar
- Arvind Trivedi
- Sameer Rajda
- Mulraj Rajda
- Rajnibala
- Sanjay Jog
Writers
- Ramanand Sagar
Ramayan - FAQs
Is Ramayan based on a true story or mythology?
Ramayan is rooted in ancient Hindu religious tradition rather than documented history. The series adapts Valmiki's Sanskrit epic Ramayan and Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas, with additional elements drawn from Kamban's Ramavataram. For hundreds of millions of Hindus, the story of Lord Ram carries deep spiritual and cultural truth.
Why was Ramayan re-broadcast during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown?
During India's nationwide lockdown in April 2020, Doordarshan re-aired the original 1987 Ramayan series. It shattered global television records, drawing over 77 million viewers per episode — the highest viewership ever recorded for any entertainment channel worldwide at that time, proving its enduring hold on Indian audiences.
Who plays Ram and Sita in the 1987 Ramayan?
Arun Govil portrays Lord Ram and Deepika Chikhalia plays Sita. Their performances became so iconic that many viewers across India came to regard them as the definitive faces of these divine characters. Sunil Lahri plays Laxman, and Dara Singh brings immense presence to the role of Hanuman.
Where can you watch Ramayan online today?
Ramayan is available to stream online through select platforms. For a full and up-to-date list of streaming options in your region, JustWatch is the most reliable resource to check current availability across subscription, rental, and free viewing services.
How many episodes does Ramayan have?
The original 1987 Ramayan series consists of 79 episodes across one season. Each episode runs approximately 35 minutes. The series aired weekly on Doordarshan's DD National channel every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. IST, running from January 1987 through July 1988.
What cultural impact did Ramayan have on Indian television?
Ramayan fundamentally transformed Indian television. Its Sunday morning broadcasts brought entire neighborhoods to a standstill, with streets emptying as families gathered around TV sets. It pioneered the mythological genre on Indian TV, inspired countless adaptations, and remains a touchstone of shared national memory across generations.
Who created and directed the 1987 Ramayan series?
Ramanand Sagar created, wrote, and directed the entire series under his production banner, Sagar Pictures Entertainment. A veteran filmmaker, Sagar poured years of research into the project, drawing from multiple classical texts to craft a version that balanced devotional reverence with accessible, compelling storytelling for a mass television audience.
Are there similar shows to watch after Ramayan?
If you enjoyed Ramayan's epic storytelling and dramatic scope, you might explore other grand narrative series such as Mission: Impossible (1988) for action-driven episodic drama, or The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021) for family-friendly adventure. The Boarding School (2007) and Bitter Lands (2018) also offer richly plotted, character-driven viewing experiences.
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