Ram Teri Ganga Maili

What's new, I don't think anyone doubts Raj Kapoor's phenomenal talent in terms of filmmaking. Ram Teri Ganga Maili is overwhelming in its beauty, in how well it captures the extraordinary picturesque views of the Himalayas, the stormy rivers of the waterfalls, and what not. The cinematography is perfect, and the setting is very impressive, creating a rather extravagant film. Raj Kapoor keeps his obsession with the female body and with showing nudity to a most conservative censor board, and does it as aesthetically as he always did, with some highly suggestive transparent clothing, shots of full breastfeeding.

In terms of writing the film has a stronger first half - great romantic portions and all you'd expect, but the execution, the dialogue and the acting by the smaller actors is very bad. It is further ruined by embarrassingly absurd action scenes, which make one lament that someone of the stature of Raj Kapoor succumbed to the cheap dishum dishum of the times. Then also the caricature villains take the credibility of the story down. It is exactly the same kind of problems that Kapoor's previous venture, Prem Rog, faced. A very pretty film to look at but very melodramatic and stereotypical in its portrayal of the suffering heroine.

And coming to the heroine and the film's main protagonist - Mandakini is exactly a reflection of the film itself - she is stunning, and her beauty is captured with great mastery, but performance-wise she falters and wavers between refreshing and charming and then very weak and struggling with too much drama. But who cares, when you have such an unusual beauty, much can be forgiven. The casting of Kapoor's youngest son Rajiv as the male lead is exactly like the casting of Rishi Kapoor in Bobby a decade before, and although he is okay and does okay within the context of the film, it's nothing special.

The film's other highlights include some nice supporting turns, especially by the great Saeed Jaffrey who gets great lines and a nice role. Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Sushma Seth are also very good. But the winner of the film after all is another person, a woman whose name is Lata Mangeshkar. This legendary singer's phenomenal voice does wonders to the film and gives it much of the charm that the script doesn't. My favourite number is "Sun Sahiba Sun" which is a pleasure to listen to. I wish the film matched the beauty of the music and the photography. Ram Teri Ganga Maili is Raj Kaoor's final but far from his finest.

Raj Kapoor is supposed to be the ultimate showman of Bollywood. He does some justice to this image by choosing spectacular locales along with some great music and photography.

However, there is nothing new this movie offers. It's an unconvincing love story set right at the foot of Himalayas, between a rich guy and a poor girl. How they meet, get separated and finally get united in the end forms the core of the story.

Most of the Indians would remember this movie as the first one, at least the first blockbuster, where the heroine openly bares her breasts. (Such exposure is not very common in Indian movies.)

Apart from that dubious distinction, there is not much else.

The music is a blast and worth listening to. Give the movie itself a skip.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili review :

Conceived during the making of Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), the late great showman Raj Kapoor waited for two decades to realise his dream of Ram Teri Ganga Maili - the concept of clean Ganga beautifully woven in to a sordid saga of woman called Ganga who takes the route of the holy river from Gangotri to Calcutta in order to reunite with her lover. The way people dirty and pollute Ganga the river is exactly how the human Ganga also gets treated along the way. Raj Saahab's vision as well as execution was first rate. Ram Teri Ganga Maili remained his last directorial but it is also his best.

The film became controversial on its release for the semi nude scenes filmed on lead Mandakini - one had her bathing under a waterfall in a transparent white saree with breasts clearly visible, the other two had her breastfeeding her baby. The audience was taken aback at these unexpected bold scenes as the film had a U certificate and in no time, news spread about it. Some critics slammed the movie as exploitative while certain theatre owners refused to let kids enter their cinemas though it was meant for universal viewing. Raj Kapoor defended himself stating the film was aimed at highlighting the purity and sanctity of the girl who doesn't lose her innocence and goodness even after the 'paapi' world tries to exploit her.

Of the main cast, Rajiv Kapoor teamed up with Divya Rana again after their lukewarm Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983). Mandakini, ofcourse was Ganga and she bagged the highly coveted role after things didn't materialize with Dimple Kapadia and Padmini Kolhapure. Ram Teri Ganga Maili was the career best of Manda who has never looked more pristine...she looks alluringly pure in most scenes.

Ravindra Jain's soundtrack suited the mood of the movie and the title track as well as 'Sun Sahiba Sun' became instant chartbusters.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili defied the action trend of the '80s and emerged the biggest blockbuster of that time. It ran for more than a year at Minerva as well as Plaza Cinema in Mumbai. The film was not accessible to me for obvious reasons and I caught it much later on VHS. The voyeuristic angle apart, I found it effectively conveying the still pertinent message of "Clean Ganga, Clean minds" in a highly entertaining manner. That was the greatness of Raj Kapoor Saahab!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

It's a very emotional story of Ganga...from gangotri to the sangam. This movie relates the story of a Girl to the holy river Ganga. I think that it is difficult for Non-Indians to relate with movie but Indians must watch it.

The power of the movie lies in it's story and emotions. Kudos to the Showman. Mandakini (ganga) has also done a great work. But there was no need of nudity in such a movie. If it was not there, then more people would've watched this movie.

The movie is also reflects the black side of the Politics in India that contains people who just look for the benefit of their family. They have nothing to do with the Country. But their real face never comes in front of public.

It's a;so a true love story that shows that love is not the name of getting someone in your life, it is the sacrifice for the happiness of your loved ones.

Please watch this movie if you are an adult and an Indian.

Undoubtedly one of the finest films made by the original and only Showman Raj Kapoor. Clearly the showman has adapted to changing times and yet manages to captivate the audience interest with his master story telling skill.

The showman has moved a level up since Mera Naam Joker and his subsequent movies like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Prem Rog and RTGM (with an expectation of Bobby) clearly depict the subtle message encoded.

You would require more than one viewing in order to see understand the underlying message of how the purity of the river Ganges originating from Himalayas gets compromised as it travels through the strata's of the society until its finally reaches Kolkatta.

The dialogues are very powerful and thought provoking (Saeed Jaffery gets meaty ones!!!). Songs which are the highlight of every Raj Kapoor movies do not disappoint. Moving away from L-P, he first time he teams with Ravindra Jain (music & lyrics) churning songs which will be remembered for years. Lata gives her as usual her best for the showman.

In terms of the casting Mandakini is an absolute let-down. She is the main protagonist and any other actress with the potency of parallel cinema would have had this movie recognised on international levels. Rajeev Kapoor is no great shakes either. Its only the supporting cast which halo the short-comings of the lead performers and they are Saeed Jaffery, Raza Murad, Sushma Seth, Khulbushan Kharbanda, Krishan Dhawan and Rajesh Viveck (in a blink-and-miss role).

The visuals of the beauty and serenity of Himalayas and the dirty and murky Kolkatta is captured with equal aplomb.

Sadly the last movie from the greatest showman but definitely he left his mark with this movie.

After reading Mr. Murali-s comments I decided to write my own opinions on this movie as the former one is extremely shallow.