Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan: How the Team Made Hanuman Fly and Other Behind-the-Scenes Tales
Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan was filmed in Umargaon, Gujarat. Hanuman’s flying sequences were shot using wires and camera techniques, creating magical visuals that left audiences spellbound in the 1980s.
Dara Singh, who portrayed Hanuman, was lifted using wires, and smart camera positioning along with effects made the flying scenes appear remarkably lifelike, surprising viewers of that period.
Whenever the name Ramayan is mentioned, the legendary director Ramanand Sagar immediately comes to mind. His iconic TV serial was first broadcast on Doordarshan on January 25, 1987, capturing the hearts of millions with its 78 episodes until the final telecast on July 31, 1988. The show’s massive popularity shattered all viewership records of its time.
A Nation Came to a Halt for ‘Ramayan’
Aired every Sunday morning for an hour, the serial was so captivating that streets would empty out, creating an atmosphere similar to a curfew. In those days, television sets were few and far between, leading to entire neighbourhoods gathering around one screen to watch the epic drama unfold.
A Cast That Became Household Names
The serial featured Arun Govil as Lord Ram and Deepika Chikhalia as Sita; such was the respect for them that many people would fold hands when they appeared. Other unforgettable performances included Dara Singh as Hanuman and Sunil Lahiri as Laxman.
The Distinct Location: Umargaon, Gujarat
Ramanand Sagar selected a unique site for shooting—Umargaon, a picturesque town on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, roughly 150 km from Mumbai, located in Gujarat’s Valsad district. This coastal town, blessed with lush vegetation, rivers, seas, and hills, served as an ideal natural setting to recreate the mythological world of Ramayan.
Recreating the Mythological World of ‘Ramayan’
To accurately present the cities of Ayodhya, Lanka, Mithila, Kishkindha, and Kailash Parvat, wooden sets were carefully built.
Prem Sagar, Ramanand Sagar’s son, once shared, “Ramayan might not have been made if we hadn’t chosen Umargaon. The natural surroundings truly gave life to the characters and the story.” The cast remained stationed in Umargaon for almost two years throughout the shoot.
A Film City Was Born
Most of the actors travelled by train from Mumbai to the isolated location. Today, Umargaon hosts Swastik Bhumi Studio, a 27-acre film city. It includes massive sets such as a 56,000 sq ft Kailash Parvat, ancient forts and royal palaces spread across 37,950 sq ft, three market sets, a courtroom, and kingly chambers.
The location even provides 1BHK and 2BHK flats for actors to stay in during filming.
The Magic Behind Hanuman’s Flying Scenes
Some of the most iconic scenes showed Dara Singh as Hanuman flying across the ocean to Lanka in search of Sita, and carrying the mountain with Sanjeevani herbs to save the critically injured Laxman. How was all this done in the 1980s?
The actor was suspended using specialised wires and belts, while smart use of lighting, angles, and visual effects made the scenes appear highly realistic, leaving the audiences of that era amazed.
