Carrying Forward the Sagar Legacy: Shiv Sagar on Spiritual Roots, Creative Vision, and the Future of Indian Storytelling

Shiv Sagar, the creative director and producer at Sagar World Multimedia, proudly acknowledges the weight of his family’s creative legacy while carving out his own path in the entertainment industry. Born into the iconic Sagar family, known for producing some of India’s most influential mythological television shows, Shiv describes himself as “blessed” but also candidly admits that it comes with its own pressures.

“When I was in school, everyone thought I owned the restaurant ‘Shiv Sagar,’” he laughed. “Even today, some people save my name as Shiv Sagar and mistakenly call me to order idlis or dosas. It just shows how identity is simply a label humans use to make life easier. The Sagar legacy is vast, and sometimes it feels like a burden, especially since channels mostly approach us for mythological content and not for other genres.”

Despite this, Shiv is determined to expand beyond the familiar. He revealed that he is working on a small-budget supernatural murder mystery film in Uttarakhand and is also exploring the animation space, a field he is deeply passionate about. “Sagar is a big umbrella. You can either use it to your advantage or keep crying about identity. I choose to see it as a blessing. Being born in a spiritual and creative family keeps me rooted, especially when the film industry often represents a darker, more superficial side of life,” he said.

The production house is also stepping into modern-day narratives inspired by ancient fables, tailored for the OTT audience. Speaking about how he balances tradition with modern storytelling, Shiv explained, “It all boils down to sensibilities. I have the scientific temperament and modern outlook of today’s youth, but at the same time, I am deeply rooted in Indian traditions. Bollywood failed because it moved away from its roots and tried to imitate the West. In contrast, South Indian cinema stayed true to Indianness, catering to the masses and excelling in storytelling.”

One of the most awaited projects from Sagar World is the upcoming show “Kaamdhenu Gaumata,” set to premiere on Star Bharat on August 11. Describing it as highly dramatic with a powerful screenplay, Shiv praised the cast and even the cow featured in the show. “The cow we bought for the shoot turned out to be extremely photogenic and gave some remarkable moments on screen. Harleen Kaur Rekhi, our lead actress with a strong theater background, along with the entire cast, delivered wonderful performances.”

For Shiv, the goal of such mythological and cultural storytelling is not just entertainment but also education. “I hope the younger generation can understand why the cow holds such a significant place in Indian culture and ethos. The show highlights legends, compassion, Dharma, and the importance of keeping one’s ego in check,” he concluded with hope.

By balancing his family’s legendary reputation with his personal creative ambitions, Shiv Sagar is not only carrying forward the legacy of Indian mythological storytelling but also reimagining it for modern times.