Raj KapoorMera Naam Joker’s passion project has long been remembered not just for its ambition but for the financial mess it caused. After the film failed at the box office upon its release in 1970, the legendary filmmaker was saddled with heavy debt and was even forced to mortgage RK Studios to pay off creditors. According to his nephew Monty Premnath, Raj Kapoor’s financial struggles started much earlier, during the making of the film, when he pawned his wife Krishna Kapoor’s gold bangles to ensure the completion of the project.Monty, the son of late actor Premnath, is back to make the iconic film. He revealed that he is an actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumarwith whom he had assisted in several projects, believed that Mera Naam Joker was too long and suggested cutting it. The film, which was released with two intervals, has a runtime of over four hours.Recalling the conversation, Monty said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, “Manoj Kumar told Raj Kapoor, ‘Let me edit your second and third part’. He found it too long,” before adding, “Raj Kapoor wanted to do the fourth chapter with my father (Premnath) and Sharmila Tagore because he was very enthusiastic, he was very involved in it.” Manoj Kumar also made a brief appearance in the film as the boyfriend of Simi Garewal’s character.According to Monty, Raj Kapoor flatly refused the proposal. “Raj Kapoor told Manoj Kumar, ‘This is my product. I will not let you touch my product. Whatever is done, this is my conviction,'” he said. When Manoj reportedly pointed out the huge amount of money invested in the film, Raj remained unmoved, replying, “So what? I got it all because of films, and I invested it all in my film.”Monty said that the filmmaker is ready to sacrifice everything for his vision. “Raj uncle even pawned his wife Krishna’s gold bangles for the film,” he says, adding that Raj Kapoor’s commitment reminds him of Manoj Kumar, who also sold some of his possessions to complete Kranti.A similar story was once shared by Manoj Kumar’s son, Kunal Goswami, who recalled the discussions between the two filmmakers about editing the film. “There was some dialogue between Raj saab and Dad. Dad told him that I will let you edit the second part of the film so that we can change the shape of the film. But I don’t know if it happened or not. Dad told me that this discussion took place, about editing, not direction.“In an earlier interview with Mumbai Mirror, Manoj Kumar also revealed that he helped rework one of the parts of the film’s story but chose not to seek recognition for his contribution. He also said he covered his own travel and accommodation expenses during the production.“The first story of this three-story film was revised by me, but I did not do it for name, fame or money. I paid my travel expenses and hotel stay and refused to take credit as a writer. Mera Naam Joker is my tribute to karmayogi Raj Kapoor.
