Prayer Meeting Held for Veteran Filmmaker Anand Sagar in Mumbai

Prayer Meeting Held for Veteran Filmmaker Anand Sagar in Mumbai A solemn prayer meeting in memory of filmmaker Anand Sagar was held in Mumbai on Monday, 16th February 2026. Family members, close friends and leading members of the film as well as television fraternity gathered to pay their respects and offer prayers. Among those present were Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Poonam Sinha, Ramesh Sippy, Kiran Juneja, Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure, Sonu Nigam, Suresh Oberoi, Anu Malik, Shashi Ranjan, Anu Ranjan, Raza Murad, Sheeba and Kiku Sharda, to name a few. The gathering reflected the immense respect Anand Sagar commanded across the industry. Sagar family expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and extended their support during this difficult time. Anand Sagar was a celebrated Indian film producer and director who carried forward one of the most influential creative legacies in Indian cinema and television. The son of the legendary Ramanand Sagar, Anand combined tradition with innovation, helping shape both the golden era of Hindi cinema and the evolution of Indian television. Born in Lahore in undivided India, Anand Sagar witnessed the upheaval of Partition before moving to Mumbai with his family. In the city that would become the heart of his creative journey, he along with his father established the iconic production house Sagar Arts—a banner that would go on to define epic storytelling on both the big and small screens. Anand began his film career as an assistant director to his father on the film Aarzoo, starring Rajendra Kumar and Sadhana. This formative experience laid the foundation for a career steeped in cinematic excellence. He was associated with several successful films, including Aankhen, Geet, and Charas—each contributing to his growing reputation within the industry. His first directorial venture, Humrahi, starring Randhir Kapoor and Tanuja, was a notable success and firmly established him as a capable director in his own right. Over the years, he collaborated with some of the biggest stars of the era, including Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Mala Sinha, and Raj Babbar amongst others. The songs ‘Rambha Ho’ and ‘Hari Om Hari’ both are from his movies ‘Armaan’ and ‘Pyara Dushman’. They were breakthrough’s for both Bappi Lahiri & Usha Uthup, and are still popular even today. While his film career was distinguished, Anand Sagar’s contribution to Indian television proved historic. Under the banner of Sagar Arts, he worked closely with his father on mythological and fantasy serials that captivated millions. Foremost among them was Ramayan, a cultural phenomenon that remains one of the most successful and widely watched television shows in Indian history. The show redefined family viewing in India and cemented the Sagars’ place in the nation’s cultural consciousness. Other major successes included Shri Krishna and Alif Laila, both of which showcased the production house’s ability to blend devotion, drama, and visual spectacle. After the passing of Ramanand Sagar, Anand continued to lead Sagar Arts into a new era. Working alongside his son Shakti Sagar Chopra, he produced successful television series such as Hatim, Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan, and Sai Baba. In 2009, he revisited his father’s magnum opus with a new adaptation of Ramayan, featuring Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee, introducing the epic to a new generation of viewers. Even in his later years, Anand remained deeply involved in storytelling, producing an upcoming feature film written and directed by his sons Shakti and Amar—demonstrating his enduring passion for cinema until his final days. Anand Sagar’s life was defined by resilience, creativity, and devotion to storytelling. From the silver screen to the sacred narratives that united millions before their television sets, he helped craft stories that became part of India’s collective memory. He is survived by his wife Nisha, his sons Shakti and Amar, and his daughter Gauri. Through them—and through the countless stories he helped bring to life—his legacy continues to shine brightly in the annals of Indian entertainment.