The world of Indian television and cinema recently lost one of its most respected pioneers, Shri Prem Sagar ji. He breathed his last on August 31. His son, Shiv Sagar, remembered him with deep emotion. He reflected on his extraordinary journey and values. Shiv also acknowledged his father’s immense contribution to the cultural landscape of India.
“Shri Prem Sagar ji, my dear father, left his body on 31st August 2025 at his residence peacefully. He was suffering from colon cancer, which had been recently detected. He was 81 years old. We never expected that he would leave us so soon. He was quite healthy and active. He led a very disciplined life. He was accustomed to a daily office routine, ” Shiv recalled how unexpected the loss felt.
His father’s last creative endeavor was close to his heart. He said, “His last show that he conceived and executed was Kaamdhenu Gaumata. It is airing on Star Bharat Monday to Friday at 9 pm daily. The show is based upon the divine wish-fulfilling cow from the Bharatiya Ithihas. It was shot in Gujarat using a real cow. The production used a lot of VFX.”
Even while battling illness, Prem Sagar ji’s dedication never wavered. Shiv remembered, “Till the last minute, Prem Sagar ji was giving corrections on the last episode of this limited series. This was just before being admitted to the hospital. He was also providing instructions to the editing and graphics team on the creatives. He was a true Karm Yogi who lived amongst us.”
Looking back, Shiv painted a vivid picture of his father’s legacy. “He was so dedicated and passionate about his work. His mission of preserving Sanatan culture was unparalleled. It is rare to come across a human being who is like him. He was the torchbearer of taking forward the name and legacy of his own father, the late Shri Dr. Ramanand Sagar ji. He was a very devoted son and great supporter. He greatly admired his father,” he said.
From cinematography to direction, and from production to marketing, Prem Sagar ji wore many hats. “Prem Sagar ji was a cinematographer and DOP in most of Late Ramanand Sagar ji’s super-hit movies. These include Lalkar, Charas, Arzoo, etc. He was a gold-medalist student from Pune’s FTII. Afterward, he joined the family’s banner, Sagar Arts. There, he created some legendary films and TV shows. These works had never been seen before and were trailblazers for their ingenuity and original content,” Shiv recalled.
Shiv also spoke about how Ramayan was born after the success of Vikram Aur Betaal. “When his late father, Shri Dr. Ramanand Sagar ji, wanted to make the Ramayan series for the television medium, he faced many obstructions and roadblocks. To counter this, Shri Prem Sagar ji, his son, created the super-hit show Vikram Aur Betaal. This served as a ‘test marketing’ strategy. He was a good camera person, writer, director, and producer. Because of these skills, he was able to make the show at a very low cost. He did this without compromising on the special effects, casting, and creatives,” he said.
There were also personal memories of childhood intertwined with creativity. “I remember coming home from school. Often, there would be shooting going on in our big double heighted hall with chandeliers. Once I came home, the movie Salma was being shot. A dance sequence was being choreographed. The actor Salma Agha, who was so gorgeous, met me. I was feeling too shy to say much to her,” Shiv shared.
Through all these moments, what stands out is Prem Sagar ji’s quiet strength and spiritual depth. “I have never seen my father talk to me in a raised voice. I’m 48 years old now. Once I remember I was a kid and threw a fit in the car while travelling. Instead of berating me, he said he was going to go on a Maun Vrat for me. The Maun Vrat, or silent fast, was so that I don’t behave in this manner. His Maun Vrat caused me to feel much deeper guilt than any berating could have achieved. Such was the great spiritual power of this man. He touched so many lives. Even if someone just met him once, briefly, he made sure. The person would never forget that meeting,” Shiv said.
For Shiv, his father was more than a parent he was a guru. “He was a great storyteller, writer, cinematographer, philosopher, husband, dad, and marketing guru. He juggled all these roles by always joking around. He kept smiling and made people laugh. He spread positivity. He was a great human being. He has been my guru and teacher. I feel that the standards set by him of patience and kindness are so high. It would be very difficult to meet those standards,” he said.
As he bid farewell, Shiv found solace in his father’s peaceful departure. “They say that the time and manner of passing away from earth are very crucial. They help determine the onward journey of a soul. He passed away very peacefully at home on the 5th day of the Ganesh festival and on Radha-Astmi. So for me he went to Vaikunth Lok. He had a deep burning love for Vishnu and all his manifestations like Ram and Krishna. Vishnu was his ‘Isht-Devta.’ The worship of Vishnu is what I have learned from him,” Shiv concluded.
Unsung bollywood 