We are more influenced by TV, films, theatre, and drama than we would like to acknowledge. We are more affected by sight, music, colour, and light than by words. You have to use your imagination to conjure up the world in books. On the other hand, the world is prefabricated for you in plays, films, and television shows, drawing you deeper into the narrative. Because God’s Aishwarya (magnificence) and Vibhuti (grandeur) come to life on screen, stories of religion and faith in cinema likewise demonstrate God’s power. TV and Movies can most effectively invoke the Adbuta Rasa in its audience through today’s special effects, VFX, CG. Not only this, you can also relate to the characters’ situations and feel gracious for God’s kindness in supporting his followers. When our minds have trouble picturing things, films and television allow us to experience things that are beyond our wildest dreams.

In 1987, I saw my first television programme, Mahabharat and Ramayana, starring Arun Govil as Rama and Nitish Bharadwaj as Krishna. Afterwards, I recall seeing films about Vaishno Devi and Santoshi Maa in the early 1990s, which deepened my childhood devotion to them. If their necklaces or keychains were sold outside of the temples, I would purchase them. A Japanese animation studio produced a cartoon version of the Ramayana in the 1990s. The animation brought back memories of the Mowgli era, and the story was skillfully constructed in just three hours.

But all of this occurred in early childhood. Later in my twenties, I saw B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat again when I purchased a DVD collection of it for my father. I saw it correctly, and I loved it. Its dialogue and storyline were flawless. What to say about casting. Those actors brought the characters to life on film so effectively. I had never appreciated the intricacies of Karma and Dharma until I watched it. That, I believe, is why it had such a powerful impact on the entire country in the 1980s. Every Sunday, people of various religions watch it with great interest. It was undoubtedly religious, but it also made you reflect on your own character and duties.

These films all had an impact on me and other people. In order to learn more about the local saints and their beliefs, I also watched films in regional languages about gods and saints, such as Sant Tukaram in Marathi. Many spiritual films about Shani Dev and Shirdi Sai Baba were directed by Gulshan Kumar. It is well known that the Shingnapur hamlet in Maharashtra had a significant rise in visitors following the publication of the Shani Shingnapur film in the 1990s. The Vaishno Devi film did the same, boosting travel to that area. Our interior consciousness and faith are influenced by films and television shows, and we are driven to travel across the nation to visit the temple.

Then there are certain films, such as OMG, which cast doubt on the true significance of spirituality and religion. To further comprehend faith, watch these as well.

These TV shows and movies are, of course, adapted from the original screenplay, and good shows are identified by the amount of research the production has done around the scriptures.

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FAQ –

1. Are these TV shows and movies true to the original text?
   Not exactly. Some conduct proper research, while others present their own liberal interpretation of the story. It is fine as long as the story makes you feel a sense of belief. However, if the programme or movie is mostly concerned with special effects and costumes rather than eliciting positive emotions in you, you should try another show.

2. Where can I find these now?
   These shows are now available on OTT, and some are still available on DVD and Blu-ray.