Reliving Ramayan

The epic tale of Lord Ram and Sita, directed by Ramanand Sagar two decades ago, has been remade. Visiting the grand sets erected in Baroda…

Director: Shakti and Anand Sagar
Producer: Sagar Arts
Cast: Gurmeet Choudhary (Ram), Debina Bonnerjee (Sita), Ankit Arora (Lakshman), Vijet Bhatia (Bharat) and Lalit Negi (Shatrughan)

Set talk:
- The sets of ‘Ramayan’ (NDTV Imagine) have been erected at Sagar Film City, Baroda.

- Art director Omang Kumar and his team have created life-size sets after undertaking research for over nine months and with 800 workers. From Ram’s abode in the kingdom of Ayodhya, to Sita’s father King Janak’s palace, all mirror the royal mood.

- A gurukul set has also been erected. A small cowshed stands at one corner. A few kutiyas have been scattered; the access to which is through a narrow wooden bridge.

- The bridge is strategically placed above a little pond and is decorated with plastic creepers that could be passed off as real. The kutiyas too are decorated with plastic creepers.

- White pigeons roam around giving it a serene look.     

- The design team has also referred to the Ramcharitmanas where Ayodhya has been described in detail, to create an upscale look. The exteriors of the kingdom have a sandstone-like feel.

- Every pillar, statue, room, throne and wall is intricately designed. The upholstery, carpets and curtains are hand-painted with zardozi work.

- The highlight of the sets is the grand-chariot set atop the main palace with a huge sun riding on it.

- At King Dashrath’s palace, a big round bed has been designed for the king with a huge canopy. A wooden swing with extensive carving adds to the ancient look.