The heart of the Sagar family, and indeed the film industry, aches this week. Renowned filmmaker Prem Sagar, son of the legendary Ram Sagar, has passed away. His son, producer Shiv Sagar, shared a touching tribute, reflecting on his father’s incredible life and their bond. Shiv expressed his deep emotions while talking about his father’s journey.
Shiv revealed that his father was battling colon cancer. Doctors diagnosed it just a month ago, and he was undergoing treatment. Prem Sagar had returned home on Saturday after treatment. He peacefully left us on Sunday, August 31st, marking the fifth day of Ganesh Utsav.
A Loving Hand, A Firm Guide
Shiv described his father as truly living up to his name, ‘Prem’ (meaning love). He was full of love and deep feelings. While he was an affectionate dad, he knew how to be firm when it was necessary.
A Visionary for New Technology
For Shiv, his father was more than just a parent; he was a true mentor. Prem Sagar was a brilliant cinematographer. He even directed a film starring big names like Jeetendra and Hema Malini. Shiv shared that the camera felt like an extension of his father’s hands. But he didn’t stop there. He was always keen on new ideas. He famously launched Sagar Arts’ television journey with ‘Vikram Aur Betaal,’ a show that came before the iconic ‘Ramayan.’ Later, he took on the role of Marketing Director for Sagar Arts. He consistently pushed for embracing new technology, always ahead of his time. Just recently, he adored their show ‘Kamdhenu Gomata’ on Star Bharat. Shiv recalled how his father often visited the set during its filming, showing his deep passion for their work.
More Than a Father, A Mentor
Shiv admired many things about his father. He spoke of his incredible patience and his knack for telling stories. Prem Sagar also had a sharp eye for marketing. Plus, he had this wonderful ability to make people laugh and feel totally at ease. Talking about the lessons he learned, Shiv Sagar said, “Everything I’ve learned about life and making movies, I learned from him.” He added that his father was his guru, skilled in thoughtful speech. “We worked on many projects together,” Shiv shared. Prem Sagar held vast knowledge about Hindu dharma, spirituality, and, of course, cinema. “A whole era has ended with his passing,” Shiv said, truly capturing the immense loss felt by many.