Rs 9 Lakh Per Episode In 1987, Rs 4,000 Crore In 2026: How Ramayana Changed Without Losing Its Magic

In 1987, a country sat down on Sunday mornings to watch Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman on a small screen. In 2026, they arrive on one of the biggest screens ever built for an Indian film.

As Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana reaches cinemas on November 5, it is worth remembering the show that started it all. The distance between a Doordarshan serial and a global two-part film says a lot about how India’s viewing habits have changed.

The Sunday Morning Ritual That Brought India To A Standstill

There was a time when a TV serial could make people postpone weddings and leave streets and shops almost empty. It needed no celebrity promotions and no countdown posts. It needed a familiar theme tune and a television set.

Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan premiered on Doordarshan on January 25, 1987. There were no private entertainment channels, no streaming libraries and no pause button. Doordarshan was the main broadcaster, and its Sunday slot gave the show something rare today: millions of people watching at the same moment.

78 Episodes, One Unforgettable Cast: Inside Doordarshan’s Ramayan

The show was planned for 52 episodes, but demand stretched it to 78. It wrapped up on July 31, 1988, with each episode running about 45 minutes.

The cast became household names:

• Arun Govil as Ram
• Deepika Chikhlia as Sita
• Sunil Lahri as Lakshman
• Arvind Trivedi as Ravana
• Dara Singh as Hanuman

The economics were striking too. Each episode reportedly cost around Rs 9 lakh, which was a big spend for the time. It reportedly earned close to Rs 40 lakh per episode and was telecast in 55 countries.

Rs 9 Lakh Then, Rs 4,000 Crore Now: The Budget Journey

Producer Namit Malhotra has said the two-part film will cost about $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore. Yash has clarified that this covers both parts, including release and promotion. It is not the budget of Part 1 alone.

The new film is built for audiences used to streaming, global franchises and instant reactions on social media. The old one needed none of that. What both share is a story that needs no introduction.

Ramayana Part 1 Review: Is It Worth Watching In Theatres?

Verdict: Yes, ideally on the biggest screen you can find. Early reactions praise the scale and the performances, while pacing and effects have split opinion.

Here’s the honest breakdown from this Ramayana review, because reactions have been strong but not unanimous.

Ramayana Budget And Day 1 Box Office Collection

Day 1 numbers differ between trackers because they are live estimates. Please update this table with final figures before publishing.

• Scale and visuals. The locations and CGI are the most praised parts.
• Ranbir Kapoor as Rama. Early reactions describe a calm, graceful and sincere performance.
• Yash as Ravana. His entry and screen presence get the loudest reactions, and many call him the high point.
• Sai Pallavi and Ravi Dubey. Sita comes across as warm and Lakshman as loyal.
• The music. The AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer score adds to the epic feel.

What Doesn’t Work In Ramayana Part 1

• Uneven VFX. Some viewers find the effects inconsistent.
• Pacing. A few stretches feel slow.
• Spectacle over emotion. One reviewer feels action and scale take priority over emotional depth.
• Half a story. This is only Part 1, so the full payoff comes with Part 2 in Diwali 2027.

Also Read:  Ramayana Part 1 main news or review article

Final Verdict: Same Epic, Bigger Canvas

The 1987 Ramayan proved a great story needs no mega budget to make history. The 2026 Ramayana is now testing whether scale can add to that legacy. Go for the stars, the music and the sheer size of it.