Ram Teri Ganga Maili

this movie could be called a typical Indian love story...rich boy poor girl, cannot marry! but at the time of the release created a lot of controversy simply because of the sexual content in the movie.

simple acts such as a mother breast feeding her baby were frowned upon which showed that the Indian public was not ready for such boldness just yet. in another scene the lead actress was shown bathing under a waterfall...in a flimsy white sari and nothing underneath. this was typical of the director Raj Kapoor who wanted his actresses to look glamorous i.e. sex symbols.

I will not take anything away from the movie in terms of acting as every one did a superb job.

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.

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 is one of the most iconic Bollywood films of the 1980s, directed by the legendary Raj Kapoor. Known for its emotional depth, soulful music, and bold storytelling, the movie remains a significant part of Indian cinema.

The story revolves around Narendra (Rajiv Kapoor), a young man from a political family, who falls in love with Ganga (Mandakini), an innocent girl from the mountains. Their love story takes a tragic turn when circumstances force Ganga to move to Kolkata, where she faces betrayal, exploitation, and the harsh realities of society. The film uses the character of Ganga as a metaphor for the sacred Ganges river, highlighting the theme of purity being corrupted by societal evils.

The last film Raj Kapoor completed before his death and, having watched it last night. It exudes the full force of his exemplary artistry and emotional intimacy in every flourish and vista. The heroine of Ganga, a human embodiment of the river of the same name. There's lot more to this movie than the exploitative scenes that have lead the talk since its release.