Biografi
Dr. Ramanand Sagar was born on December 29, 1917, in Asal Guru Ke, near Lahore, Pakistan (then part of Hindustan).
During British rule, Ramanand began his film career with a silent film titled "Raiders of the Railroad" (1936). He later created what is considered a masterpiece, "Aur Insaan Mar Gaya."
After India gained independence, Ramanand established his own production company in 1950, named Sagar Art Corporation, and started by producing the film "Mehmaan."
Sagar Art Corporation and Ramanand Sagar produced over 50 Hindi films, including hits like "Insaniyat," "Ghunghat," "Peghaam," "Aankhen" (1968), "Geet," "Bagavat," "Lalkar," "Kohinoor," "Zindagi," and "Aarzoo," among others.
Ramanand made history with the television series "Ramayan," reportedly the longest-running serial in India, which depicted the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram and his victory over Lord Ravan and his evil kingdom in Lanka.
At the time, Ramanand was working on another epic about Sai Baba's life, scheduled to air on Sunday nights as a replacement for "Kaun Banega Crorepati," whose host Amitabh Bachchan was hospitalized.
He was honored with India's highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, and became known as Padma Shri Dr. Ramanand Sagar.
He resided at his family home, "Sagar Villa," in Juhu, Bombay, having previously lived in a flat behind National Hospital in Dadar (West), Bombay.
At 87, Ramanand’s health declined, and he passed away unexpectedly on the evening of Monday, December 11, 2005.
His funeral procession included hundreds of family members, close friends, and Bollywood actors such as Arun Govil, Deepika (who played Ram and Sita in Ramayan), Poonam Dhillon, Bhagyashree, and Ravindra Jain.
The funeral pyre was lit and last rites performed by Ramanand's eldest son, Subhash, at the Juhu-Vile Parle Crematorium on the morning of December 12, 2005.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, and four sons: Subhash, Moti, Prem, and Anand.
