How PM Rajiv Gandhi endorsed the making of ‘Ramayan’ — and lost power
Indian Express - Explained · Published 11 November 2026 · Last updated
The telecast of the epic 'Ramayan' on Doordarshan in the late 1980s, greenlit under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, catalyzed massive religious fervour, reshaped political fortunes, and fuelled the growth of Hindu nationalism.
Key points
- The film Ramayana, released in 2026, grossed over Rs 800 crore worldwide within its first week and cast actor Arun Govil as Dasharatha.
- Arun Govil previously played Rama in Ramanand Sagar's 1987 television adaptation Ramayan on Doordarshan.
- Ramanand Sagar moved to television after making hit Hindi films like Barsaat in 1949 and Arzoo in 1971, encouraged by the success of Vikram Aur Betaal in 1985-86.
- Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi secured a record 404 seats for the Congress in the general election following Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984.
- The Supreme Court of India delivered the Shah Bano judgment in April 1985, granting alimony to an aggrieved Muslim woman.
- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act was passed in 1986 by the Rajiv Gandhi government to undo the Shah Bano judgment.
- The locks at Ayodhya's disputed Babri Masjid site were engineered to open by the government to permit Hindu prayers.
- The first episode of Ramayan was broadcast on January 25, 1987, running for 78 episodes until July 31, 1988, reaching close to 650 million viewers.
- The BJP saw its seats rise from 2 seats in 1984 to 85 seats in the 1989 general election amid the Ramjanmabhoomi movement.
- General elections were advanced to early November 1989 on the advice that the opposition was unorganized and upon Intelligence Bureau assurances.
Background
- Ramanand Sagar, born Chandramouli Chopra in 1917, shifted from Lahore to Bombay after Partition and built a career in Hindi cinema.
- The film Ram Rajya released in 1943 deeply influenced Ramanand Sagar, inspiring his lifelong ambition to bring the story of Rama to the masses.
- Rajiv Gandhi assumed office as Prime Minister in 1984 after the assassination of Indira Gandhi and won a massive mandate.
- Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting V N Gadgil and senior leader H K L Bhagat warned Rajiv Gandhi against telecasting a Hindu mythological serial on public television.
- Ajit Kumar Panja replaced V N Gadgil as I&B Minister in November 1986, proving more receptive to the telecast of the epic.
- By 1989, the personal image of Rajiv Gandhi suffered due to corruption allegations in the Bofors guns scandal, leading to a party breakaway led by V P Singh.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Indian Express - Explained