India's most watched TV show has TRPs higher than Bigg Boss, Naagin, TMKOC combined; but destroyed lead star's career

It should come as no surprise that it is Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, which remains the most-watched Indian TV show even 36 years after it stopped airing. As per historical data, the 1988 episode of Ramayan that showed Lakshman and Meghnaad’s battle was watched by 7.7 crore viewers, as it showed 77 million impressions, the highest-ever figure seen in India

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi had a peak rating of 22, as did Mahabharat. The highest TRP rating of Bigg Boss has never crossed 15. Even the most successful show of recent times – Naagin – has never seen a double digit rating, maxing out at 7. Just how impactful Ramayan was can be gauged by the fact that the combined TRPs of all these shows still can’t beat Ramayan’s number

The popular mythological drama based on the epic and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas, was easily the most impactful Indian television programme. It starred Arun Govil, Deepika Chikhalia, Sunil Lahra, Arvind Trivedi, and Dara Singh

Ramayan was regarded as the most expensive TV show produced during the time with a budget Rs 9 lakhs per episode. The Rs 7-crore budget of the show was even higher than the biggest Indian films made at the time

A show of this scale and stature should have made all its cast stars. But it had an adverse impact on Arun Govil, who played Lord Rama. The actor was typecast as he was seen to embody Lord Rama and hence, had trouble finding good roles in TV shows and films after Ramayan

Ramayan was a runaway hit with reports of deserted streets when it aired. Originally planned for 52 episodes, the show had to be extended twice to 78 episodes because of the public sentiment in its favour. It has had countless reruns since