Lalit Modi says Disney turned down financing for Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan after Sagar attended a meeting in shorts and struggled to pitch the project to the company’s executives. Modi recounts that the executives did not connect with Sagar’s presentation despite his own efforts to persuade them.
Both outlets report Modi’s account that Disney’s response reflected what he describes as a cultural mismatch. According to Modi, the series later found support with Doordarshan, where it became a major hit. The story is presented as a behind-the-scenes anecdote explaining how Ramayan ultimately reached Indian audiences and helped popularise the mythological genre on television.
The reports focus on the unusual detail of Sagar’s attire during the pitch, framing it as a purported factor in Disney’s rejection. Neither outlet provides independent verification of Disney’s decision details; the information is attributed to Modi’s retelling.
