Raj Kapoor sold Krishna’s wife’s gold bangles to make ‘Mera Naam Joker’: ‘Manoj Kumar thought the film was too long and wanted to change it’ | Hindi Movie News

Raj KapoorMera Naam Joker’s ambitious project was remembered for a long time not only because of its ambitions but also because of the financial crisis it caused. After the film failed at the box office when it was released in 1970, the famous artist was left with a huge debt and was forced to borrow RK Studios to repay the loan. According to his nephew, Monty Premnath, Raj Kapoor’s financial problems had started much earlier, during the production of the film, when he allegedly borrowed his wife Krishna Kapoor’s gold bangles to ensure the completion of the project.Monty, son of late actor Premnath, looked back on making a famous film. He revealed that the actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumarwho helped him with several things, believed that Mera Naam Joker was too tall and suggested that he cut it. The film, which was released in two parts, had a running time of over four hours.Recalling the conversation, Monty said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, “Manoj Kumar told Raj Kapoor, ‘Let me change your second and third part.’ Manoj Kumar also made a brief appearance in the film as Simi Garewal’s boyfriend.According to Monty, Raj Kapoor strongly rejected the idea. “Raj Kapoor told Manoj Kumar, ‘This is my thing. I will not let you touch my thing. Whatever is done, it is my determination,'” he said. When Manoj explains how much money he has invested in the film, Raj is unfazed, replying, “So what?Monty said the artist was ready to give up everything for his vision. “Uncle Raj graced the film with his wife Krishna,” he said, adding that Raj Kapoor’s dedication reminded him of Manoj Kumar, who sold several of his properties to complete Kranti.A similar story was shared earlier by Manoj Kumar’s son, Kunal Goswami, who recalled a conversation between the two filmmakers during the film’s editing. “There was a discussion between Raj saab and Dad, Dad had told him that you allow me to change the second part of the film so that we can change the look of the film. But I don’t know if that happened or not. Dad told me that this conversation was about change, not about strategy.“In an earlier interview with Mumbai Mirror, Manoj Kumar had said that he had helped in remaking one part of the story for the movie but chose not to be recognized for his contribution. He also said that he pays for his own travel and lodging expenses during production.“The first story in this three-story film was also prepared by me, but I didn’t do it for name, fame or money. I paid for travel expenses and hotel accommodation and refused to take credit as a writer. Mera Naam Joker was my tribute to Raj Kapoor’s karmayogi. In Urdu ‘awara’ means ‘khushboo’ and even today, ‘Rajfrarance’ fills our minds.