Most watched Indian TV show, with highest TRP, not Bigg Boss, Tarak Mehta, Naagin, Anupamaa, Kyunki Saas Bhi, Kasauti Zindagi Ki…

This show when aired received a lot criticism. However, later it became India's most watched television serial.

37 years ago, one mythological TV series had the whole country in a chokehold! It should come as no surprise that it was Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. As per the historical data, the show generated 40 million views and Rs 23 crore in revenue. During its run, ‘Ramayana’ became the most-watched TV series in the world.

The show was telecast in over 55 countries, and earned a viewership of 650 million. As its peak, the show had 40 lakh views per episode.  When it was aired again in 2020, Ramayana gained the highest ratings and TRP. It was regarded as the most expensive TV shows produced at that time with the budget of Rs 9 lakh per episode.

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

When, Ramayana was aired, it gained a lot of criticism. Religious minorities felt that it could create communal tensions. However, slowly, the show started gaining not just Hindu fans, but Muslim and Christian as well.

The most successful shows in recent times like Bigg Boss, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Anupama  Kyunki Saas Bhi, Kasauti Zindagi Ki couldn’t beat Ramayana’s successful ratings. Even the combined TRPs of all these shows can’t defeat this mythological show’s numbers.

As per historical data, the 1988 episode of Ramayan that showed Lakshman and Meghnaad’s battle was watched by 7.7 crore viewers, the highest ever figure seen in India. Originally planned for 52 episodes, the show had to be extended twice to 78 episodes because of the countless fans that didn’t want the show to be end.