Shiv Sagar on Reviving Epics and Bringing Innovation to Mythological Storytelling

Shiv Sagar carries a surname that has been synonymous with mythological storytelling for decades. As the head of Sagar World Multimedia, he stands at the helm of a company that practically redefined how India consumed its cultural and spiritual heritage through television. The world first saw their magic with timeless shows like Ramayan, Shri Krishna, and Vikram Aur Betal — shows that turned living rooms into prayer halls and made Sundays feel like festivals. Today, Sagar World continues its legacy with Kakbhushundi Ramayan on DD National and Kaamdhenu Gaumata on Star Bharat, keeping the tradition alive for a whole new generation.

For Shiv, the connection to this world is personal and nostalgic. “I was 10 years old when Ramayan was being aired on television. We would visit the sets and sometimes even become junior artists when small kids were not available for production or were too expensive,” he recalls with a smile. He shares how, as children, they didn’t fully grasp the weight of what was being created. But with time, the realisation set in — this was not just a show but a cultural milestone that brought the entire nation to a standstill. “When we look back now, we see what an important milestone it was and what a great achievement of the late Dr. Ramanand Sagar ji and the entire Sagar family, including the womenfolk.”

Growing up in this atmosphere meant being immersed in epics day and night. “One cannot deny the impact, awe, and admiration one develops for the creative people in the house who worked day and night to make this possible and keep it all together,” Shiv says. From watching different versions of Ramayan and Mahabharat to hearing set stories and production challenges, all of it sank into his subconscious and shaped the way he thinks and creates today. This deep-rooted connection is what fuels the projects he takes up now.

Kakbhushundi Ramayan is one such labour of love. Based on the conversation between Kakabhushundi and Garuda about Lord Rama, it offers a fresh narrative while staying rooted in scripture. Shiv shares that the idea came to life when DD National approached them to create a new Ramayan. “When DD approached us to make Ramayan again, we were excited. The grace of Lord Ram has always been in the family. We know our job very well and felt we could create something no one else would be able to,” he says with pride.

But it’s not just about retelling the same stories — innovation remains at the heart of Sagar World’s vision. Shiv speaks passionately about Kaamdhenu Gaumata, calling it a unique project that he instantly connected with. “In India, a cow is not just an animal but an emotion. So many times, even in our daily lives, we experience this—for example, when a cow crosses the road, cars stop out of respect. The cows here are also not afraid of human beings, because they know their power,” he explains. Conceived by his father, Shri Prem Sagar, the show stands out for its originality at a time when most channels simply refurbish old mythological series with higher production quality.

Shooting the show, however, came with its own set of challenges. “Shooting with an actual cow we bought in Vadodara and making her act was a very difficult task. The same cow was photographed from head to toe, and a 3D model was created to handle stunt and action sequences that would not have been possible with a real animal,” Shiv reveals. The combination of authenticity and technology allowed them to pull off something that hadn’t been attempted in the genre before.

Through his words, it’s clear that for Shiv Sagar, mythological storytelling isn’t just a profession — it’s a calling. It is about honouring a family legacy while still finding ways to push the envelope and present these stories with freshness, dignity, and innovation.