Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan: How The Crew Made Hanuman Fly And Other On-Set Stories

Last Updated:August 07, 2025, 15:47 IST

Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan was shot in Umargaon, Gujarat. Hanuman’s flying scenes used wires and camera tricks, creating magical effects that amazed viewers in the 1980s

Dara Singh, playing Hanuman, was suspended on wires, with clever camera angles and effects making the flying scenes look strikingly realistic, astonishing viewers of that time. (News18)

When the name Ramayan is mentioned, the legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar is instantly recalled. His iconic television serial first aired on Doordarshan on January 25, 1987, captivating millions with its 78 episodes until the final broadcast on July 31, 1988. The show’s immense popularity broke all viewership records of the time.

A Nation Paused For ‘Ramayan’

Airing every Sunday morning for one hour, the serial was so engrossing that streets would fall silent, resembling a curfew as life came to a halt. Back then, television sets were scarce in neighbourhoods, leading families and neighbours to gather around a single TV to watch the epic tale unfold.

Cast That Became Icons

The serial starred Arun Govil as Lord Ram and Deepika Chikhalia as Mother Sita; a pair so revered that viewers would bow upon seeing them. Other memorable actors included Dara Singh as Hanuman and Sunil Lahiri as Laxman.

The Unique Location: Umargaon, Gujarat

Ramanand Sagar chose an extraordinary location to shoot the serial; Umargaon, a scenic town on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, about 150 km from Mumbai, in the Valsad district of Gujarat. This coastal area, blessed with lush greenery, rivers, sea, and hills, provided the perfect natural backdrop that brought the ancient Ramayan world to life.

Creating The Ancient World Of ‘Ramayan’

To faithfully depict the settings of Ayodhya, Lanka, Mithila, Kishkindha, and Kailash Parvat, wooden sets were meticulously constructed.

Prem Sagar, Ramanand’s son, once revealed that “Ramayan might not have been made if we hadn’t gone to Umargaon. The natural surroundings truly animated the characters and the story.” The cast stayed in Umargaon for nearly two years during filming.

The Making Of A Film City

Most actors commuted by train from Mumbai to the remote set. Today, Umargaon is home to Swastik Bhumi Studio, a sprawling 27-acre film city. It features elaborate sets such as Kailash Parvat (56,000 sq ft), grand palaces and ancient forts (37,950 sq ft), three markets, a courtroom, and royal chambers.

The site even offers 1BHK and 2BHK flats for actors to rent.

The Magic Behind Hanuman’s Flying Scenes

Some of the most memorable sequences showed Dara Singh’s Hanuman flying across the sea to Lanka in search of Sita and carrying the mountain with Sanjeevani herbs to cure the fatally injured Laxman. How was this achieved in the late 1980s?

The actor was suspended on special wires and belts, while clever camera angles, lighting, and special effects made the scenes look incredibly realistic, astonishing viewers of that era.

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