Ramanand Sagar was renowned for his masterpiece television series “Ramayan,” which captivated the nation in 1987. While widely recognised as a filmmaker for classics like “Arzoo,” “Ghunghat,” “Zindagi,” and “Ankhen,” his significant contributions as one of the leading Urdu writers of his era are sometimes overlooked. His influence extends beyond the screen, showcasing his multifaceted talents in the realms of cinema, television, and literature.
Love is not as strong as hate is. I want to invoke hate in you with this novel. So that your sentiments are stronger and steadfast. If I have made you hate these killings, rapes, and violence from the bottom of your heart, then I will believe myself and the novel to be successful.”
Sagar about his novel “Aur Insaan Mar Gaya”
Beginning his journey as a journalist with the Urdu daily “Daily Milap” in Lahore, Ramanand Sagar steadily climbed the ranks to become its editor. In 1941, he confronted a formidable adversary—Tuberculosis (TB)—and was admitted to a sanatorium in Kashmir. In an era when TB posed a severe threat, there were very slim chances for his survival.
In the crucible of profound pain and sorrow, the spark of creativity ignited within Ramanand Sagar. He embarked on a literary journey, contributing to the renowned Urdu literary magazine “Adab-e-Mashriq.” His column, titled ‘Maut Ke Bistar Se’ or ‘Diary of a TB Patient,’ served as a poignant canvas, capturing the essence of his experiences in the confines of a sanatorium.
In 1944, he acted in the Punjabi film Koel, directed by Roop K. Shorey, made in Lahore.
The True Humanitarian
He was living in Srinagar when the Indo-Pak war of 1947–48, began; it was a dark time. He moved to Delhi with his family, and leaving with a Muslim friend, he went back to Kashmir with other literary geniuses like Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Chandrakiran Sonrexa, Navtej Singh, Sher Singh, and Raj Bans Khanna, and reached the war front for humanitarian aid.
Abbas recalled, “It was said, writers had come to live their books, and poets had come to die for their poetry!” Sagar’s most famous work, “Aur Insaan Mar Gaya,” was completed at this warfront.
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas Said “He (Sagar) was a personification of the light of hope and humanity. He was that small ray of light that shows the path in the darkness. There was no more darkness, as I had found a pearl of light.”
In Prof. Ishtiaq Ahmad’s opinion, “Aur Insaan Mar Gaya (And Humanity Died) enjoys the reputation of being the most humane and politically neutral novel on the partition”.
In his introduction to Aur Insaan Mar Gaya, written in July 1948, Sagar wrote, “There is a lot inside me that wants to come out of me in the form of writing. But I realise that for a long time to come, I will not be able to write something for only literary purposes. because the need to fill my stomach has become more painful than feeding my soul and intellect.”
He moved to Bombay. It was a huge gain for the film industry and a tragic loss for literature. Hunger always wins at the end.
The Films
In the late 1940s, Sagar started out as an assistant stage manager in the Prithvi Theatres of Prithviraj Kapoor. He wrote the story and screenplay for Raj Kapoor’s superhit “Barsaat.” He also produced and directed films like “Bazooband” and “Mehmaan,” which bombed at the box office.
Due to his unsuccessful career in Bollywood. Sagar shifted to Madras and started working for Gemini Studio. He wrote stories of Gemini classics like “Insaniyat (1955),” starring Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand, Raj Tilak (1958), starring Gemini Ganeshan, Padmini, and Vyjayanthimala, and “Paigham (1959),” starring Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar, for which he even won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue. Sagar’s collaboration with Gemini Studio proved to be fruitful for his career.
In the 1960s, Sagar directed blockbuster musicals like “Arzoo” with Rajendra Kumar and Sadhna, Spy Thriller “Ankhen” with Dharmenbdra and Mala Sinha, musical tragedy “Geet,” starring Rajendra Kumar and Mala Sinha, war movie Lalkar with Dharmendra, Rajendra Kumar, and Mala Sinha, thrillers “Charas” with Dharmendra and Hema Malini, and costume drama “Baghawat “with Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Reena Roy.
In the 1980s, he shifted his focus to TV and directed the fantasy serial “Vikaram aur Betal.” He then came up with the now iconic TV series “Ramayan,” which became a rage in India and is still loved by the masses. He also made seraials like “Uttar Ramayan,” “Shri Krishna,” and “Alif Laila.”
