During the lockdown, the shooting of television serials and Bollywood movies are completely shut down. Due to which now the channels do not have the backup episodes to telecast. Many people demanded to run the repeat telecast of 90's iconic shows. Doordarshan brought many old television serials for the people like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan, The Jungle Book, and many more. People are enjoying watching these iconic television serials. People still have the same craze for Ramayan when it was telecasted for the very first time on the television in 1987. [caption id="attachment_14239" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Our parents and grandparents tell us the story about how the roads get deserted when Ramayan was on air on television. But do you know how the Ramayan was shot? How many people were involved? How they have finalized the artists to play Lord Ram and other characters. Let us check out these interesting facts about Ramanand Sagar's iconic Ramayan. 1. Set Of Ramayan [caption id="attachment_14227" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] The set of Ramayan was built in Umbergaon, Gujarat. It is four hours distance from Mumbai. Deepika Chikhalia who played the role of Sita told that most of the artists use to live in the studio as if they are on a long picnic. 2. Junior Artists Onboard [caption id="attachment_14225" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] The son of Ramanand Sagar, Prem Sagar told that whenever there is an outdoor shoot, they use to take the theater artists from that place itself. He added that when there was a need for junior artists, we use to go to several villages and it was announced with Dhol Nagada that artists are needed for the serial. 3. Arun Govil Was First Rejected As Ram [caption id="attachment_14228" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Arun Govil who played the character of Lord Ram was first rejected. He told that I went for giving audition but got failed. My photoshoot also happened in the look of Lord Ram, but I was not looking like him. Then I have added a smile on my face and it worked. 4. Deepika Chikhalia Was Just Above 15 Years [caption id="attachment_14231" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Deepika Chikhalia was just above 15 years old when she played the character of Sita. Ramanand Sagar told Deepika that when Sita will come on screen, she should not need any introduction and people should recognize her. After four to five screen tests, she was finalized for the character of Sita. 5. Dashratha And Kaushalya Married In Real Life [caption id="attachment_14244" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] The characters of Maharaj Dashratha and Rani Kaushalya played by Bal Dhuri and Jayshree Gadkar are married in real life. 6. First Episode Took Around 15 Days To Shoot [caption id="attachment_14226" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] The first episode of Ramayan was of around 1 hour and it took more than 15 days to shoot the first episode. The crew used to live in the shooting locations for around 27 days a month. 7. Ramayan Shoot Went Over 550 Days [caption id="attachment_14238" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] The entire shoot of the Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan went over 550 days. For special effects in the show, the production and technical team has also taken help from Hollywood. 8. Most Expensive Show Of That Time [caption id="attachment_14230" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Ramayan was regarded as the most expensive TV show produced during that time with a budget of INR 9 Lakh per episode. 9. Doordarshan Earnings From Ramayan [caption id="attachment_14233" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Doordarshan, a TV Channel reported earned INR 40 Lakh per episode when Ramayan was aired for the first time on television. 10. World's Most Watched Mythological Serial [caption id="attachment_14234" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Ramayan entered the Limca Book of Records as the most-watched mythological series. Ramayan was telecast in 55 different countries and at a total viewership of 650 million. It has become the highest watched Indian television series with a viewership of 82 percent, a record high for any Indian television series. 11. Ramayan Was Extended Thrice [caption id="attachment_14232" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Ramayan was initially made to run for 52 episodes of 45 minutes each. But due to its huge popularity, the series has been extended thrice and ended after 78 episodes. 12. Ram Setu Scene Was Shot In Chennai [caption id="attachment_14236" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] The scene of the construction of Ram Setu in the Ramayana was shot in Chennai. According to Prem Sagar, the blue sea view and water was not found in Gujarat, due to which it was shot in Chennai. 13. Sanjay Jog Was First Choice For Laxman's Role [caption id="attachment_14235" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] Sanjay Jog who played the role of Bharat was the first choice for the role of Laxman. He was approached for Laxman's role, but due to a big role that requires many days for shootings, he could not commit. Hence he played the character of Bharat that has less screen presence as compared to Laxman's role. 14. Aslam Khan Has Played Most Characters https://twitter.com/EnterTales/status/1249270086981935105 Aslam Khan has played the various small characters in this show. He has played roles like Kevat ka Senapati, Samudra Dev, Sadhu, Spy, Rakshas, Singer in Sita Ka Swayamwar and even a Sainik in Vanar Army. 15. Arun Govil Quit Smoking At Public [caption id="attachment_14237" align="alignnone" width="800"] via[/caption] People are so much attached to the characters of Ramayan that they started worshiping Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia. Due to this respect and adoration, Arun Govil who played the character of Lord Ram has given up smoking in public. 16. Highest TRP In 2020 https://twitter.com/EnterTales/status/1245979151594426369 Even when it is retelecasting during the lockdown, people have the same craze for watching this iconic show and it broke many TRP records. These were some of the interesting facts about Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan. Were you aware of it? Do you know anything else that should be added to the article? Let us know in the comments. Entertales is on YouTube, Click here to subscribe for latest videos and updates.