Siddharth Kumar Tewary on retelling Shrimad Ramayan for GenZ

In conversation with Adgully, Siddharth Kumar Tewary, Founder of Swastik Productions, and the creative force behind Sony’s upcoming mythological show for 2024 ‘Shrimad Ramayan’, speaks about the evolving landscape of mythological shows in Hindi General Entertainment Channels. Tewary delves into the distinctive and imaginative approach shaping ‘Shrimad Ramayan’, his aspirations for the future, and the underlying philosophy driving this monumental project.

Tewary emphasised, “Firstly, it’s our history, not mythology – a historic series with religious undertones, reflecting our reality.” For him, Ramayana serves as a guiding force, defining familial relationships and encapsulating pivotal aspects crucial for societal well-being. This epic tale, in his view, isn’t just entertainment, but a source of purity and learning, a story that every household should embrace and pass on to the next generation.

He believed that the strength of Indian television lies in its ability to engage entire families, fostering a collective viewing experience. “‘Shrimad Ramayan’, in particular, stands as a story meant for universal audiences, aiming to bring families together and instill a sense of pride in our cultural roots,” he added.

Tewary further said that creating Ramayana was his long-cherished dream. He acknowledged the significance of timing in the realisation of creative endeavours. Drawing from his experience with the ‘Mahabharat’ series, he emphasised the importance of spending time to thoroughly understand and interpret these timeless narratives. ‘Shrimad Ramayan’, having incubated in his mind for over five years, is poised to become one of the most visually grand series ever presented on Indian television, he exclaimed.

According to Tewary, what sets ‘Shrimad Ramayan’ apart is not only its grandeur on paper, but also the contemporary interpretation of the age-old story. He sees the uniqueness in how the series will interpret characters, relationships, and actions in a way that resonates with today's generation. In a rapidly changing world, the core values remain the same, but the approach to depicting relationships and philosophy must evolve. The series aims to bridge the generational gap by connecting with the shorter attention spans of Gen Z, presenting the narrative in a way that captures their interest while preserving the essence of the original epic.

Tewary said that his commitment to making ‘Shrimad Ramayan’ limited series is similar to the approach taken with ‘Mahabharat’. He believed that this format is suitable for the contemporary audience, especially the younger generation. “The team has worked hard to make the series not only visually spectacular, but also culturally relevant and engaging,” he added.

As the show is approaching its release date (January 1, 2024), Tewary admitted to feeling a mix of nervous energy and positivity. He acknowledged the inherent uncertainties in the reception of his interpretation and hoped that it would not disappoint the viewers. Despite the nervous anticipation, he emphasised on maintaining purity of thought, dedication, and consistency in storytelling. Tewary maintained that his expectation was not for accolades, but rather for the audience to resonate with the narrative, feel the essence of each character, and gain insights into the philosophy being presented on screen.