Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) User Reviews

A grand epic - Raj Kapoor style.....

[jagdevs-1 · 8/10 · 23 November 2012]

What looks like a standard rich boy, poor girl love story with the basic formula of boy meets girl, they fall in love and have to face several hurdles before being reunited is actually much much more. The movie itself contains an important social message about faith, hypocrisy and the distortion of religion for personal gains. Bold for its time. Raj Kapoor introduces newcomer Mandakini in an extremely powerful heroine oriented role, causing controversy with the now infamous waterfall scene where her breasts were visible, through a flimsy white sari.

The story follows the journey of Ganga, a girl from Gangotri (the source of the Ganges),who starts out as pure as the Ganges itself, and as the events unfold She follows the course of the Ganges and reaches Calcutta tainted just like the sacred Ganges. The performances on the whole are excellent. Raj Kapoor extracts some fine acting from all the star cast, even his son Rajiv who shines despite his limitation.

The way the dramatic scenes are executed are sheer brilliance, and you are kept almost at the edge of your seat. Raza Murad stands out as the most memorable character and plays his part with utter conviction.

The soundtrack is also worth mentioning as the beautiful music by Ravidra Jain, with voice's of the legendary Lata Mangeshkar and Suresh Wadkar is simply sublime with its mix of classical and modern film music. The cinematography for a Hindi film of its time really stands out (especially the songs) in and era where films were rather technically poor in India.

The only low I would have to say is the ending. We reach the pivotal climax beautifully executed. What follows is a quick lets get over with this and finish the film with the usual commotion, fighting and over dramatisation. The ending is rather abrupt and you are left with a feeling that the story has not been fully resolved.

What stops this film from being one the greatest stories ever told is the inclusion of certain unnecessary scenes which make the first half less gripping than it could have been.. Certain plot lines such as the Murder of Ganga's brother are left uncompleted. The fight scene where Ganaga is accused of theft is not necessary and just seems to prolong the story.

All in all a great film that could have possibly been even greater. do watch it if you can get hold of it on DVD.

The Showman's triumph

[mayank_782 · 7/10 · 6 June 2013]

Raj Kapoor again directs a great film. The story starts with the the boy meets girl syndrome(Naren, played by Rajiv Kapoor meets Gunga, played by Mandakini).They start loving each other and get married. But when Naren goes back home, he finds that his marriage has been fixed to another girl. Kunj, his maternal uncle goes to fetch Ganga, but they had already left for Calcutta with a son. The film draws an analogy between the protagonist "Ganga" and the river Ganga. Ganges starts from Gangotri and merges in the Bay of Bengal, it is pure in the starting, but becomes polluted during its way. The protagonist is the living embodiment of the river. Along the way, she is trafficked, raped and beaten. By the time she reaches Kolkata, her purity had gone, just like the Ganges. This movie seemed to be contrast to his 1962 classic "Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai". That film boasted about the country and the Ganges and optimistic in tone. While RTGM denounces the evils present in the country and raises its voice against it. The music of the film is quite good, especially the title song.But the film takes a beating at acting. Mandakini is average while Rajiv Kapoor is just plain bad, he can't convey emotions properly.(Quite strangely, the movie is (in)famous for the nude scene. It has much more to it than that. Do watch it. You won't be disappointed.)

a movie ahead of its time...in terms of sex in Indian cinema

[bishavbhogal · 8/10 · 17 May 2006]

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.

Analogy drawn

[AvinashPatalay · 30 June 2006]

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.

Beautiful Mandakini

[IPyaarCinema · 6/10 · 28 July 2022]

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.

Raj kapoor's view mildstone Showman work on it that's why superhit

[rajputshri · 7/10 · 24 September 2022]

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 at his best

[vishal_wall · 10/10 · 9 June 2006]

Naren is a simple man and son of an influential businessman in Calcutta. He goes to Himalayas on vacations and meets Ganga a local Himalayan girl. They fall in love and get married. Naren decides to go home and gain his family's confidence before he can take Ganga home. Naren comes back home and finds that his father has fixed his marriage with an ambitious politician Bhagwat Chowdhary's daughter. Naren sends Kunj, his maternal uncle and his well wisher, to fetch Ganga but Ganga, now pregnant, has already left alone from Himalayas to Calcutta. The whole journey of Ganga from Gangotri to Calcutta depicts the poor condition of women in the Indian society.

First half of the film is perfect for toilet breaks, cigarette, pop corn and probably grocery. How long can you tolerate two bad actors that too together? Movie begins when Ganga leaves Himalayas for Calcutta. Ganga, traveling from Gangotri to Calcutta, represents river Ganga which starts from Himalayas and through northern plains reaches Calcutta and merges into Bay of Bengal. River Ganga is revered by Indians as god from ancient times. River Ganga get polluted on its way and the first bank which pollutes river Ganga is Haridwar and so Ganga (Mandakini) tastes her stint with fate in Haridwar. By the time she reaches Varanasi Ganga loses its purity. River Ganga flows almost like sewer water after that and that's what happens to the protagonist. She is sold bought raped and beaten by the time she reaches Calcutta. I find this film extremely romantic and spiritual. It talks about the fate of millions of innocent girls sold in India and the medium it uses is mind blowing. This film always reminds me of Bicycle thief. Sica used a bicycle to expose post world war Italy and Raj Kapoor has used a river to expose the double standards of Indian culture. At one point in time Ganga sleeps in a funeral house and consoles herself saying that dead ones are better than those living. Characterization is brilliant for example Kunj visits brothels but he loud mouths about it. Manilal is a pimp, a gray character, becomes a blind man to trap Ganga. Raj Kapoor says a lot through Manilal's black goggles. Some of the scenes are very bold. In one of the scenes Ganga, in a train to Varanasi, is feeding her infant son while men look at each other and smile.

Acting wise Raza Murad and Saeed Jaffery are brilliant and soul of the film. Rajiv Kapoor couldn't do worse. 'Mandagini' could and she did. Music of the film is exceptional. All the songs except for 'Sun Saiba' and 'Main Hee Main Hoon' are beautiful and meaningful. I think it's the best score by 'Ravindra Jain' so far (better than even 'Nadiya Ke Paar' and 'Chitchor'). Lata Mangeshkar's voice is beginning to crack by this time and so male versions are an automatic preference. This film was released in the same year as 'Tawaif' and so best Dialog and story awards were given to 'Tawaif' ( a very well deserved ones too) else this movie would have got those too other than best film, best director, best art director and best music. I think this is Raj Kapoor's best film if not 'Prem Rog'. Prem Rog outshines this film because of the actors (of course Rishi Kapoor in 35 mm is magic) and topic but RTGM has high points and is more dramatic. I think Raj Kapoor should have stayed away from the nudity in this film as most people saw only nudity in this film (you can tell by the reviews only) but Raj Kapoor was a businessman too so he had to do his marketing bit. This film was a huge hit. Looking at the unchanged condition of India I guess Raj Kapoor was a good seller. He sold a movie against nudity with nudity. Reminds me of Goddard's 'Contempt' but that's how it is and will be. A must watch for spiritually bent Indians.

Stunning photography, splendid music, little substance

[Peter_Young · 4/10 · 8 October 2021]

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.

If you are an Indian, then go on youtube and watch the movie now

[ankushjainr · 10/10 · 12 January 2015]

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.

All pomp and no glory!

[murali-5 · 3/10 · 8 July 2004]

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.

Loved Mandakini for the Right reasons

[abd_mumin · 9/10 · 18 November 2013]

Mandakini Mandakini Mandakini. That's why the film gets a 9 for me. The Movie is a bit nice yet a bit silly. Raj Kapoor directed this film well and did a fab job. The Lead Actor tries his best but some people just don't suit as a actor.

Best thing about this film is the introduction of the beauty cutie pie Mandakini. Its a shame she did not get more famous in Bollywood as she deserved. She was good in this movie, well acted, I felt sorry for her character but I cannot deny she was sexy at the same time.

The wet sari nude scene and breast feeding scene caused a stir but most men did not complain as deep down they just watched it over and over again secretly. As you can see from my header, loved her for the right reasons, ahem. yes I am not modest. Getting jiggy with it.

Same old.

[phat_mrt · 3/10 · 12 May 2006]

Typical bollywood love story. Girl meets guy, meet the parents, there's trouble, a bad patch, the struggle, the heroism and then a happy ending, oh and not to forget the dancing and singing.

The nudity side of things was simple and did'n'y need to be in the film. there are certain situations where you can understand why it is needed but in this case they could have done the standard skin tight sari's and clothes and still got away with it.

Nudity in films is not a big issue these days...well, in Hollywood, but bollywood, film makers need to be abit careful on their target audience. the younger generation would have an open mind and will be more susceptible to this but the older and the majority of the target audience for bollwood films would not be.

I personally don't mind the nudity. :)

Great Iconic Movie

[Ashvini_777 · 10/10 · 13 February 2021]

Ram Teri Ganga Maili is a wonderful movie. Superbly directed by Raj Kapoor Sahab and great music by Ravinder Jain Sir ... great performances by all the artists... Excellent Movie..

Struggling Ganga - People are more dangerous than ghosts.

[ankitgiri · 9/10 · 4 June 2019]

Nice work done by Raj Kapoor, all movie scenes keep bonding from beginning to end, movie is awesome.

Mandakini and Ravindra Jain (with Lata Mangeshkar)

[nepalbhanu · 10/10 · 2 March 2020]

This movie does nothing new. It bears the same hackneyed plot. Yet, it does wonders and is a must watch, for three reasons:

1. Mandakini - swap her for any other actress in this movie and the movie is dead. She has KK Singh's dialogue executed to perfection.

2. Ravindra Jain (and Lata Mangeshkar) - take away the music, and the movie dies.

3. Raza Murad - one of the few actors who actually has an actor's voice, right in league with Danny Denzongpa (my personal favourite), Ambrish Puri, Amitabh Bacchan, Sathrughan Sinha, Raaj Kumar and Ajit. Too bad, actors of today sound like squealing puppies.

The film is a great rhetoric too, and is a metaphor about the journey of the Ganges; starts off pure at Gangotri and is rendered exhaustingly polluted by the time it reaches Kolkata.

I think it is an exceptional film that deserves admiration. Go watch it on Youtube (for free).

Clean Ganga. Clean Minds.

[nadkarnisumeet · 10/10 · 15 August 2022]

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.