Raj Kapoor ’s passion project Mera Naam Joker has long been remembered not only for its ambition but also for the financial turmoil it caused. After the film failed at the box office upon its 1970 release, the legendary filmmaker was left burdened with heavy debt and was even forced to mortgage RK Studios to repay creditors. According to his nephew, Monty Premnath, Raj Kapoor’s financial struggles had begun much earlier, during the film’s production, when he allegedly mortgaged his wife Krishna Kapoor ’s gold bangles to ensure the project was completed.
Monty, the son of late actor Premnath, looked back on the making of the iconic film. He revealed that actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar , whom he had assisted on several projects, believed Mera Naam Joker was too long and had suggested trimming it. The film, which released with two intervals, had a runtime of over four hours.
Recalling the conversation, Monty said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, “Manoj Kumar told Raj Kapoor, ‘Let me edit your second and third part’. He found it long,” before adding, “Raj Kapoor wanted to make a fourth chapter with my father (Premnath) and Sharmila Tagore because he got so passionate, he was so involved in it.” Manoj Kumar also made a brief appearance in the film as the boyfriend of Simi Garewal’s character.
According to Monty, Raj Kapoor firmly turned down the suggestion. “Raj Kapoor told Manoj Kumar, ‘This is my product. I won’t let you touch my product. Whatever has been made, it is my conviction,” he said. When Manoj reportedly pointed out the enormous amount of money invested in the film, Raj remained unwavering, replying, “So what? I earned it all because of films, and I have invested it all in my film.”
Monty said the filmmaker was willing to sacrifice everything for his vision. “Raj uncle even mortgaged his wife Krishna’s gold bangles for the film,” he said, adding that Raj Kapoor’s commitment reminded him of Manoj Kumar, who also sold several of his properties to complete Kranti.
A similar story had earlier been shared by Manoj Kumar’s son, Kunal Goswami, who recalled discussions between the two filmmakers over the film’s edit. “There was some dialogue between Raj saab and Dad. Dad had told him that you allow me to edit the second half of the film so we can change the shape of the film. But I don’t know whether that happened or didn’t happen. Dad told me that this discussion happened, about editing, not direction.”
In an earlier interview with Mumbai Mirror, Manoj Kumar had also revealed that he helped rework one of the film’s story segments but chose not to seek recognition for his contribution. He also said he covered his own travel and accommodation expenses during the production.
“The first story in this three-story film was reworked by me, but I didn’t do it for name, fame or money. I paid for my travel expenses and hotel stay and refused to take credit as writer. Mera Naam Joker was my tribute to karmayogi Raj Kapoor. In Urdu ‘awara’ means ‘khushboo’ and even today, the ‘fragrance’ of Raj Kapoor fills our senses.”
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