Ram Teri Ganga Maili

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.

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.

This movie name title wrong according to Hindu religion and lord , I like raj kapoor sahab acting from 1955 barsat , awara to till now Raj kapoor outstanding superstar in Hindi cinema , called Showman , he was actor , director , producer and writter , he Was done many blockbuster supeehit movies and collection across world 20lakh budget and 4cr collection 1.50cr from india , 2.5cr from Russia , like awara , shri 420 , Sangam , Barsat , anari, andaz , mera naam joker , chori chori he was support his brother and chids always like Ram teri ganga maili , satyam shivam sundram , Bobby this are the supportive blockbusters superhits.

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.

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.