Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Title:** The Making of Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana (1980s)
**Key Points:**
1. **Production:** Filmed over 550 days in Umargaon, Gujarat, with a simple yet effective approach.
2. **Shooting Challenges:**
* No advanced technology; used chroma technology for special effects (e.g., Hanuman's flying scenes).
* Long shooting hours (6am-3am); limited food, drink, and rest for artists.
3. **Casting:**
* Arun Govil (Lord Ram) was initially rejected but selected after a look test.
* Deepika Chikhalia (Mata Sita) transitioned from B-grade films and other roles.
* Arvind Trivedi (Ravana) was not the first choice (Amrish Puri was) but impressed with his audition.
4. **Impact:**
* Huge success upon TV release; people revered the actors as deities.
* Estimated budget per episode: ₹9 lakhs (1980s), equivalent to ₹1 crore today.
* Earned ₹23 crores for Doordarshan 35 years ago; immense value if produced today.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences:
1. **Production of Ramayana**: Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana was made in the 80s with a budget of ₹9 lakhs per episode.
2. **Shooting Location**: The serial was primarily shot in Umargaon (also known as Umra village), a small town in Gujarat, India.
3. **Shooting Duration**: The entire cast and crew shot 78 episodes over 550 days in Umargaon.
4. **Location Selection**: Umargaon was chosen for its diverse landscapes, minimizing the need for multiple locations.
5. **Distance from Mumbai**: Umargaon is approximately 4 hours from Mumbai, where many of the actors would travel from.
6. **Actor's Commute**: Arvind Trivedi (Ravana) would commute by train from Mumbai for shooting.
7. **Bonding Among Actors**: The prolonged shoot led to strong bonds among the actors, who began living like a family.
8. **Emotional Last Day**: The last day of shooting was emotionally challenging for the cast and crew.
9. **Viewership**: People would gather around TVs to watch, with some even watching through neighbors' windows if they didn't have a TV.
10. **Actor Worship**: Some viewers revered the actors playing Lord Ram and Mata Sita, seeking blessings upon meeting them.
11. **Special Effects for Hanuman's Flight**: Chroma technology was used to create scenes of Hanuman flying, a significant effect at the time.
12. **Dara Singh's Makeup**: Dara Singh (Hanuman) required 2-3 hours for his makeup, which sometimes started at midnight.
13. **Junior Artists' Recruitment**: Local villagers were recruited as junior artists through drum announcements, offering food and the chance to act.
14. **Arun Govil's Selection**: Initially rejected, Arun Govil was selected for Lord Ram's role after a look test, where his smile won over the director.
15. **Deepika Chikhalia's Background**: Before playing Mata Sita, Deepika Chikhalia acted in B-grade films and was discovered by Ramanand Sagar through her role in "Vikram Betal".
16. **Arvind Trivedi's Selection**: Initially auditioning for a boatman role, Arvind Trivedi was selected for Ravana after a second audition, despite Amrish Puri being the first choice.
17. **Arvind Trivedi's Preparation**: He had to prepare for an hour before shooting, wearing heavy costumes and jewelry, including a 10 kg crown.
18. **Arvind Trivedi's Discipline**: He kept a fast during the shooting days, breaking it only after returning home.
19. **Budget Equivalence**: ₹9 lakhs in the 80s is equivalent to approximately ₹1 crore today.
20. **Earnings for Doordarshan**: The serial earned ₹23 crores for Doordarshan, approximately 35 years ago.