Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai

I'd rate this as one of my favorite Raj Kapoor films, even though he didn't direct it, right up there with Shree 420. I like the music a lot, especially, the drumming and percussion. The dancing is pretty fun too, particularly when Padmini and Chanchal are jumping around together. I also liked the water ballet sequence, when the women are leaping into the the pool. This movie had a number of the elements I appreciate in a Raj Kapoor film, besides the music: the river symbolism is well-developed,and Raj plays one of his trademark simple, good-hearted tramps who prevail despite the odds -- without TOO much melodrama (which I don't care for.) I tend to prefer earlier films, both from Raj Kapoor specifically and from Bollywood in general -- from the sixties on they get too westernized for my taste, and the dacoit setting here places the story squarely in Indian territory. I also liked Padmini's spunky energy, and her repeated exclamation "Hoi hoi hoi!" (whatever that means, I'd like to know,) it really got stuck in my head!

Great cinematograph by Tara Dutt and Radhu Karmakar. Great music. Padmini exudes unmatched sex appeal (and this is a black and white film). Runs 20 reels with a leisurely pace. But a must watch.

Once again, Raj Kapoor produces a nice and touching movie.

The movie has a basic theme: dacoits against the law. But in between those two barriers is Raju (Raj Kapoor), a simple and honest fellow, who is pure as the Ganga River...hence the title. He is a dafli wala.

The story begins when the Sardar of a gang of Dakkus is shot by a police officer. When Raju passes by, singing in a quite jolly way, the Sardar points a gun at him, and tells Raju to take out any weapons that he has. Raju reaches into his bag and takes out his most powerful weapon...a fork. Yes, a fork, obviously Raju isn't a very violent person. In fact, he ties the wound, and feeds the man. When the Sardar becomes unconscious, Raju is worried. When he hears sounds outside, he comes out and says, "Khabardaar, mein police officer hoon" (Don't dare, I'm a police officer). Misunderstanding this, the dakkus kidnap Raju.

Here he has to prove to the unbelieving dacoits and their families that he is indeed just a dafliwala, and not a police officer. He shows off his talent, and some believe him and some don't.

One of the people who don't believe Raju is Rakka (Pran). He is very suspicious and is annoyed at Raju. Why is he annoyed, you ask? Because the village girl that Rakka wants to marry, Kammo (Padmini) starts to like Raju. And just as predicted, they want to get married. Kammo explains to him that the dakkus aren't bad, and that they just want to make the rich and the poor equal.

Ha, and Raju believes it.

But he soon finds out about their ruthless crime, especially Rakka, who kills a little boy and the brand new groom of a wedding where they were to steal. Raju can't take it any more, and he decides that he has a lot of problems to solve, not just with the dakkus, but with the police too...who he thinks stoop just as low to stop crime. His journey of love and justice starts here.

So that's basically the plot. Actingwise, many were impressive. Raj Kapoor, as usual, suited and flawlessly played his role. It's nice to know that he produced a movie with such a nice theme. And Pran was no less, he played his role with just as much intensity, and...I'm sad to say...had a better hair style than our Raj. Hey, but that's okay right? Lalita Pawar was very nice, and she also made me cry. Padmini overacted in a few parts, but her role was not too influential so it didn't really matter that much.

And last but not least...the music! Beautiful. Every bit of it, from the songs to the background score. Shankar Jaikishan once again makes a perfect soundtrack for Raj Kapoor. Lata, as usual, sang her heart out, captivating ours' as well. "O Basanti", "O Maine Pyar Kiya", "Begani Shaadi Mein", and "Kya Hua" are especially beautiful. The classic "Aa Ab Laut Chale" is magnificently sung by Mukesh, pierces the emotions...along with Lata's silk like voice in-between the stanzas. "Mera Naam Raju" and "Jis Desh Mein Ganga" are also classics sung by Mukesh. "Hum Bhi Hain" is also a must-listen.

The movie is touching and satisfying with every element of drama. I rate it an eight out of ten. I would have rated it higher if there weren't a few deaths that were a bit unnecessary...but I guess the director can't change the story. Watch the movie! A classic!

A simple innocent guy with a heart of gold is abducted by bandits; and he is determined to raise the bandits from their bad deeds and make them good people. A single man against hundreds of bandits seem to be a bit preachy and unrealistic, but the story somewhat works in "Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai" which is considered one of the classics of Raj Kapoor, which won several awards including Best Picture of the year.

Well, there are certain flaws in the film, which can be overlooked for the goodness and time period of the film. The innocence of Raj Kapoor or the heroine, Padmini is a bit overdone; but Raj Kapoor gives a brilliant performance, just like the one Aamir Khan did in "Pk", asking simple innocent questions whose answers convert lives of many. The music and camera work deserves a huge applaud and captures the mood of patriotism effectively with memorable songs like "Aa Ab Laut Chalein," "Begani Shadi Mein Abdullah Deewana," or the title song itself. The camera work is superb in capturing the landscapes full of caves and gorges portraying the areas of bandits.

Pran as usual appears a regular villain; but Lalita Pawar, in her very small role, leaves her impact. Overall, the film despite being overlong, never bores you and by the end, you leave your seats with a gratitude. Besides a simple lovable story, the film carries a nice message that bandits are also human with a loving family who need to be awaken from their bad deeds, for which the film deserves to be considered a classic.

Rating: 3 stars out of 4

When Radhu Karamkar, then cinematographer, expressed his desire to direct a film, Raj Kapoor made him direct Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai(1960), later to be considered as magnum opus of his career.

Raj Kapoor, Padmini, Pran and Lalita Pawar starrer is dacoit drama in which Raju saves the injured dacoit Sardar and feeds him. Later he is abducted by Sardar's fellowman. Sardar's daughter Kammo falls in love with Raju, and convinces him that the dacoits are actually socialist in order to keep him, contrary Raka(Pran) is in love with Kammo. The truth is exposed on the wedding, where the dacoits killed a newly wed couple and stole everything.

The film has amazing lyrics by Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri and Music by Shanker-Jaikishen, which turned in beautiful melodies, romantic and moral songs. Starting with, Mera Naam Raju Gharana Anaam; Kya Howa Ye Mujhy Kya Howa Kya Pata Janey Kyun Machal Raha Hai Aaj Dil Mera; Honton Pe Sachaye Rehti Hai; Ho Mene Pyar, Oye Kya Jurm Kiya; Hai Aag Hamare Seene Main; O Basanti Pawan Pagal, and ending to Aa Ab Laut Chalen, sung by legendary playback singers Lata, Mukesh, Geeta, Manna Dey, Asha and Mahedra Kapoor.

Story by Arjun Dev Rashk, the movie amalgamates Gandhian values of truth and sacrifice.