The Ramayan TV serial directed by Ramanand Sagar first aired on DD National in 1987 and B R Chopra’s Mahabharat aired a year later.

Both the adaptations generated record audiences and have gone down as one of the most successful screenings in Indian television history. Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan was viewed by at least 650 million people in 55 countries and B R Chopra’s Mahabharat received a similar reception.