Prem Sagar (cinematographer)

Last updated
Prem Sagar
Died31 August 2025 (aged 81)
Mumbai
NationalityIndian
Alma mater FTII
Occupation(s) cinematographer, director
Parents

Prem Sagar was a veteran cinematographer, director, producer, and screenwriter, primarily active in Hindi cinema and television. [1]

Contents

Career

Prem was an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, from the 1968 batch. At FTII, he received the gold medal for the best academic student and the silver medal for the best-photographed student film. [2]

Prem served as a cinematographer on notable movies like Charas (1976), Lalkar (1972), Jalte Badan (1973), and Hamrahi (1974). [3] [4]

He played a key role in developing and marketing several highly popular Indian television serials. Besides that, he contributed to their visual identity as a still photographer and cinematographer. These serials include Vikram Aur Betaal , Ramayan, Luv Kush , Shri Krishna, Alif Laila , and Prithviraj Chauhan. [5] [6]

Vikram Aur Betaal is considered the first fantasy serial on Indian television. Ramayan, originally aired on Doordarshan, India’s national public service broadcaster, is one of the most-watched television serials in the world. [7] [8] [9]

Awards

Prem has received fifteen awards for cinematography. [10]

Personal

Prem is the son of filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, who created the well-known television series Ramayan under the banner of Sagar Arts.

Prem died at his residence in Mumbai on August 31, 2025, at the age of 81. He is survived by his son and television producer Shiv Sagar. [11]

Filmography

As cinematographer/technical advisor [12]

As director

As actor [15]

As producer and director of the television series

As co-producer of the television series (along with Ramanand Sagar and Subhash Sagar)

As writer and producer of the television series

Publications

An Epic Life - Ramanand Sagar: From Barsaat to Ramayan by Prem Sagar, Penguin, 2019. [21]

References

  1. "Shiv Sagar On Father Prem Sagar's Death: He Was Diagnosed With Colon Cancer A Month Ago". NDTV. 1 September 2025.
  2. "Shiv Sagar On Father Prem Sagar's Death: He Was Diagnosed With Colon Cancer A Month Ago". NDTV. 1 September 2025.
  3. "Prem Sagar". Penguin. 6 October 2025.
  4. Lalkar (1972). 6 October 2025.
  5. "Prem Sagar, son of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, passes away; Arun Govil pays last respects". The Indian Express. 31 August 2025.
  6. Shruti Sampat (4 September 2025). "Dipika Chikhlia mourns the demise of Ramanand Sagar's son, Prem Sagar: 'He always called me their family member'". Mid-day.
  7. "Prem Sagar Passes Away At 82". India West Journal. 1 September 2025.
  8. "Prem Sagar, son of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, passes away; Arun Govil pays last respects". The Indian Express. 31 August 2025.
  9. "Author Prem Sagar unveils his new book "An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar – From Barsaat to Ramayan". Global Prime News. 17 December 2019.
  10. "Prem Sagar". Penguin. 6 October 2025.
  11. "Shiv Sagar On Father Prem Sagar's Death: He Was Diagnosed With Colon Cancer A Month Ago". NDTV. 1 September 2025.
  12. "Prem Sagar". Penguin. 6 October 2025.
  13. Lalkar (1972). 6 October 2025.
  14. "Prem Sagar". Penguin. 6 October 2025.
  15. "Ramanand Sagar's son Prem Sagar dies at 81". Mint. 31 August 2025.
  16. "Prem Sagar". Penguin. 6 October 2025.
  17. "Ramanand Sagar's son Prem Sagar dies at 81". Mint. 31 August 2025.
  18. Ramayan. 6 October 2025.
  19. Shri Krishna. 6 October 2025.
  20. "Exclusive - Harleen Kaur Rekhi on working with late Prem Sagar: He treated me like family". Times of India. 7 September 2025.
  21. "Before making Ramayana, Ramanand Sagar read 14 versions of it, reveals son Prem Sagar India TV". India TV. 20 May 2020.