Amid Prabhas-Kriti Sanon’s Adipurush release, a look at all the Ramayans told on screen

As Adipurush releases, here’s looking back at the many Ramayans on-screen – TV and films.

Hindi Films

Lanka Dahan (1917)

The film was Dadasaheb Phalke’s second feature film after Raja Harishchandra. As women didn’t work in films then, Anna Salunke played Ram as well as Sita’s character in Lanka Dahan. He thus also became the first actor to be credited with a ‘double role’. The film was well-appreciated and it was said that audiences would even remove their shoes when Lord Ram appeared on-screen. The filmmaker had even used trick photography and special effects impressing audience.

Ram Rajya (1943)

Vijay Bhatt made Ram Rajya with Prem Adib and Shobhna Samarth in 1943. The film became the third highest grossing Indian film that year. It is said Ram Rajya was one of the only few films that Mahatma Gandhi saw. The title of the film had also gained significance during the fight for Independence. Ram Rajya was also the first Indian film to be premiered in the USA.

Mahipal and Anita Guha played the lead in Sampoorn Ramayan.

Sampoorn Ramayan (1961)

Babubhai Mistry-directed Sampoorn Ramayan had Mahipal and Anita Guha play the lead role of Ram and Sita. Popular actors like Helen, Lalitha Pawar, Achala Sachdev and Sulochana Latkar also played pivotal roles. The film was a box office success and also became a milestone in the history of mythological portrayal on screen.

Jeetendra played the role of Lord Rama in Lav Kush.

Lav Kush (1997)

Starring Jeetendra as Lord Ram and Jaya Prada as Sita, the film started from the point of Ram returning to Ayodhya after defeating Raavan. As his reputation is questioned with Sita having spent over a year in Lanka, he dictates Laxman to send his wife to exile. A devastated, pregnant Sita is sheltered by Valmiki in a jungle, where she gives birth to twins Luv and Kush. While the film did fairly well, it was indeed a surprise to watch Jeetendra in a mythological role.

TV shows

Ramayan (1987)

Created by Ramanand Sagar, Ramayan aired between 1987 and 1988 on Doordarshan. Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia played the lead characters of Lord Ram and Sita, respectively. Other actors like Arvind Trivedi, Dara Singh and Bal Dhuri were also part of the show. Given it was the first time the audiences witnessed the epic on the small screen, the actors went on to find immense fame. The show was also popular for having Ashok Kumar as the narrator.

Ramayan (2008)

After almost two decades, NDTV Imagine decided to bring back the classic tale of Ramayan on-screen. It cast newbies Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonerjee as the face of the show, who also went on to become overnight stars. Veteran actor Akhilendra Mishra essayed the role of Ravan, the king of Lanka. The show also delved on the story of Ram-Sita’s return from exile, birth of Luv and Kush and Sita returning to the earth.

Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonerjee played Ram and Sita in Ramayan.

Ramayan (2012)

Zee TV in the year 2012 launched a reboot of Ramayan and was helmed by Sagar Pictures. Gagan Malik, Neha Sargam and Sachin Tyagi as Ram, Sita and Ravana, respectively. The show did not attain the success like its predecessor but was loved for keeping it simple and close to the original.

Siya Ke Ram (2015)

For the first time on Indian television, Ramayan was told from the perspective of Sita. Star Plus’ launched Siya Ke Ram with Madurakshi Mundle playing the iconic role of Sita, while Ashish Sharma played Lord Ram. South star Karthik Jayaram essayed the role of Ravan in the show, that aired for a year starting November 2015. The show received acclaim for its high production value and a power-packed cast. Siya Ke Ram not only brought to life the story of Luv and Kush but also touched upon the parallel stories of Ram’s brothers and their lives.

South films

Lava Kusha (1963)

From the numerous Telugu films based on Ramayan, 1963’s Lava Kusha, directed by C Pullayya and CS Rao, with NTR as Lord Ram is arguably the most liked. Covering the Uttara Ramayana portion of Ramayana, with 27 songs, Lava Kusha broke several box office records and earned over Rs 1 crore at that time.

Sampoorna Ramayanam (1972)

Shobhan Babu played Lord Ram in Bapu directed Sampoorna Ramayanam released in 1972. Bapu’s deep devotion to Ramayan is on full display in the film. It was his deft handling that enabled Shobhan to create his own identity playing Lord Ram when it was difficult to imagine any person other than NTR in the role.

Ramanjaneya Yuddham released in 1975.

Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1975)

In 1975, Bapu returned with Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham, with NTR playing Lord Ram this time. A remake of the 1963 Kannada movie of the same name starring Raj Kumar in the lead role, Ramanjaneya Yuddham shows NTR in great form as Lord Ram who gets angry with his staunchest devotee Hanuman. The film presents the idea that true devotion to god is perhaps stronger than god himself.

Sri Rama Pattabhishekam (1978)

In 1978, NTR helmed his first ever directorial Sri Rama Pattabhishekam, with himself playing both Ram and Ravan.

Sri Rama Rajyam is a remake of C Pullayya’s 1963 Lava Kusha.

Sri Rama Rajyam (2011)

The 2011 released Sri Rama Rajyam, starring NTR’s son Balakrishna Lord as Ram under Bapu’s direction, was a remake of C Pullayya’s 1963 Lava Kusha, which itself faithfully followed the script of Lava Kusha of 1934, directed by C Pullayya.

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