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{{short description|1985 film by Raj Kapoor}}
{{short description|1985 Indian film directed by Raj Kapoor}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
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| story          =  
| story          =  
| based_on      =  
| based_on      =  
| starring      = [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]]<br /> [[Rajiv Kapoor]]
| starring      = [[Rajiv Kapoor]]<br />[[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]]
| narrator      =  
| narrator      =  
| music          = [[Ravindra Jain]]
| music          = [[Ravindra Jain]]
| cinematography = Radhu Karmakar
| cinematography = Radhu Karmakar
| editing        = Raj Kapoor
| editing        = [[Raj Kapoor]]
| studio        =  
| studio        =  
| distributor    = R. K. Films
| distributor    = [[R. K. Films]]
| released      = {{film date|1985|08|16|df=yes}}
| released      = {{film date|1985|08|16|df=yes}}
| runtime        = 178 minutes
| runtime        = 178 minutes
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Hindi
| language      = Hindi
| budget        =  
| budget        = {{INR|1.44 [[crore]]|link=yes}}
| gross          = ₹19 crore (equivalent to ₹326 crore (US$46 million) in 2016)
| gross          = {{estimation}} {{INR|19 crore}}
}}
}}
'''''Ram Teri Ganga Maili''''' ({{translation|Ram, Your Ganga is Tainted}}) is a 1985 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[romantic drama film]] directed by [[Raj Kapoor]]. The film stars [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]] and [[Rajiv Kapoor]]. Music director [[Ravindra Jain]] received a Filmfare Award for this film.


The film became very controversial because of Mandakini's bold scenes of [[breastfeeding]] and [[Wet sari scene|bathing in a transparent saree]], which wasn't something the conservative [[Indian Film Censor Board|Indian Censor Board]] allowed then. Yet, it had a U (Universal) age rating, which was later amended to U/A. It was the last film directed by Raj Kapoor.
'''''Ram Teri Ganga Maili''''' ({{translation|Ram, your Ganga is tainted}}) is a 1985 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[romantic drama film]] co-written and directed by [[Raj Kapoor]]. The film stars [[Rajiv Kapoor]] and [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]]. The music was composed by [[Ravindra Jain]]. It was the last film directed by Kapoor.


''Ram Teri Ganga Maili'' is included in the 'All-Time Blockbusters' list of Indian Cinema. It was certified Diamond Jubilee in Mumbai and Golden Jubilee in other major cities.The film was the [[List of Bollywood films of 1985|year's highest-grossing film.]] It was also one of the highest-grossing films of 1980s, alongside ''[[Kranti]]'' (1981) and ''[[Maine Pyar Kiya]]'' (1989).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-14|title=Boxofficeindia.com|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=125&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014093336/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=125&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-14|access-date=2020-08-07}}</ref>
''Ram Teri Ganga Maili'' was released on 16 August 1985. The film was the [[List of Bollywood films of 1985|highest-grossing Indian film of the year]], which ''[[Box Office India]]'' classified as an "All-Time Blockbuster".<ref name=BO/> It was also one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the 1980s, alongside ''[[Kranti]]'' (1981) and ''[[Maine Pyar Kiya]]'' (1989).
 
The film won five [[Filmfare Awards]]. The film generated controversy because of Mandakini's scenes of [[breastfeeding]] and [[Wet sari scene|bathing in a translucent saree]]. The film still received a U (Universal) certificate from the [[Indian Film Censor Board|Indian Film Certification Board]], which was later amended to U/A.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Ganga lives in Gangotri with her brother, Karam. One day she comes to the assistance of a young man, Narendra Sahay, who has come with a group of Calcutta-based college students to study the source of the holy river Ganga and to get some holy water for his paternal grandmother, who uses a wheelchair. Both are attracted to each other, and on the next Puran Mashi get married, and spend the night together. Narendra leaves but promises Ganga that he will be back soon. Months go by, but he does not return. She gives birth to a son, and as soon as she can, she starts her journey to Alipore, Calcutta, to confront Narendra and ensure a better future for their son. At Rishikesh, she is exploited by two women and a man from whom she escapes and takes shelter in a crematorium. Then at Banaras, she is molested by a Pandit, rescued by the police and given a ticket to Calcutta. When she alights en route to get water for her baby, the train leaves, and she falls into the clutches of Manilal who feigns blindness and lures her to a brothel near Banaras, where she is forced to stay so that she can provide for her son. It is here that she is introduced to a powerful politician, Bhagwat Choudhary, who pays a hefty sum and asks Manilal to bring Ganga to Calcutta where he intends to keep her as his and Jeeva Sahay's mistress. What Ganga does not know is that Bhagwat's daughter, Radha, is Narendra's bride-to-be; that Jeeva is none other than Narendra's father, and that soon she is asked to perform on her husband's wedding. It creates a scene when Naren recognises that the girl dancing in the veil is none other than Ganga. He stops the marriage saying that he is already married but his family asks him to marry Radha and not that "polluted" girl. However, he disagrees and leaves his house with Ganga and his child.
Narendra Sahay a.k.a. "Naren" is the son of Jeeva Sahay, a rich politician in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]]. Naren visits [[Gangotri]] to study the source of the [[holy river]] [[Ganges|Ganga]], and to get some holy water for his wheelchair-using paternal grandmother. There, he meets a very pretty girl named Ganga Singh. Ganga lives near Gangotri with her brother, Karam. Naren sees Ganga bathing in a white saree under the waterfall and she later helps him to collect the holy water. Soon, they fall in love, decide to marry and sleep together. They are happily married but Naren has to return to Calcutta as he wanted to convince his parents about accepting Ganga as their daughter-in-law. He promises Ganga that he will soon return to her.
 
Ganga is pregnant with Naren's child and she gives birth to a son. She faces many problems because of her child as well as her beauty. Her brother Karam is killed and Ganga finds herself alone. Finally deciding to go to her husband, Ganga travels from Gangotri to Calcutta. However, the journey is fraught with hardship and misadventures. She makes it as far as [[Varanasi|Benaras]], and is helped by police with a ticket to Calcutta. However, she falls into the clutches of a man who lures her to a brothel.
 
Bhagwat Choudhary, a rich politician, buys Ganga and brings her to his "bagan bari" (house near a garden) as a concubine. Bhagwat has arranged for his daughter, Radha to wed to Naren, who was informed that Ganga is dead. However, Naren's maternal uncle, Kunj Bihari, finds Ganga in Bhagwat's bagan bari and learns her story. He asks her to appear at her husband's wedding to test if her husband can recognize her or not.  
 
Naren recognizes Ganga at the ceremony. However, his father refuses to accept Ganga as his daughter-in-law. Naren also finds out about his son and the three try to leave. However, Bhagwat Choudhary shoots Ganga in a fit of rage, causing Naren to thrash Bhagwat Choudhary. Radha then informs him that Ganga has survived and Naren leaves with Ganga and their son to live by the river Ganga.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Rajiv Kapoor]] as Narendra "Naren" Sahay
* [[Rajiv Kapoor]] as Narendra "Naren" Sahay, Ganga's husband, Radha's love interest
* [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]] as Ganga
* [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]] as Ganga Sahay, Naren's wife
* [[Divya Rana]] as Radha B. Choudhary
* [[Divya Rana]] as Radha B. Choudhary, Naren's fiancee
* [[Sushma Seth]] as Dadimaa
* [[Sushma Seth]] as Dadi Maa
* [[Saeed Jaffrey]] as Kunj Bihari
* [[Saeed Jaffrey]] as Kunj Bihari
* [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]] as Jeeva Sahay
* [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]] as Jeeva Sahay
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* [[Krishan Dhawan]] as Manilal
* [[Krishan Dhawan]] as Manilal
* [[Vishwa Mehra]] as Postbabu
* [[Vishwa Mehra]] as Postbabu
* [[Urmila Bhatt]] as Tajeshwaribai
* [[Urmila Bhatt]] as Tajeshwari Bai
* [[A.K. Hangal]] as Brij Kishore
* [[A. K. Hangal]] as Brij Kishore
* [[Gautam Sarin]] as Naren's fellow student
* [[Gautam Sarin]] as Naren's classmate
* [[Monty Nath]] as Naren's fellow student who lost his watch
* [[Monty Nath]] as Naren's classmate who lost his watch
* [[Kamaldeep]] as Chamanlal
* [[Kamaldeep]] as Chamanlal
* [[Tom Alter]] as Karam Singh (Ganga's elder brother)
* [[Tom Alter]] as Karam Singh, Ganga's elder brother
* [[Javed Khan Amrohi]] as Manglu, Ganga's fiancé
 
== Production ==
According to [[Padmini Kolhapure]], she was the initial choice for the female lead role but declined because the script had a kissing scene.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-28 |title=Padmini Kolhapure rejected Ram Teri Ganga Maili because of one scene, says Raj Kapoor wanted to replace Mandakini |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/padmini-kohlapure-rejected-ram-teri-ganga-maili-because-of-one-scene-says-raj-kapoor-wanted-to-replace-mandakini-101616915224143.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425091754/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/padmini-kohlapure-rejected-ram-teri-ganga-maili-because-of-one-scene-says-raj-kapoor-wanted-to-replace-mandakini-101616915224143.html |archive-date=25 April 2022 |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> Mandakini, who ultimately played the role, disputed Kolhapure's claims. She said Raj Kapoor wanted only a new face, rather than an established actress, as he believed he could not "make someone pure Ganga if they have an established image". Mandakini also stated that she did not breastfeed despite popular belief, but the scene was shot in a way to suggest that.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=Mandakini on her breastfeeding scene in Ram Teri Ganga Maili: 'It was nothing compared to what happens today' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mandakini-explains-her-breastfeeding-scene-in-ram-teri-ganga-maili-101661318804548.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824110202/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mandakini-explains-her-breastfeeding-scene-in-ram-teri-ganga-maili-101661318804548.html |archive-date=24 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> in 2025, [[Khushbu Sundar|Khusboo]] revealed that she was first choice for playing Ganga.<ref>{{cite news |title=Khushbu Sundar reveals she was Raj Kapoor's first choice for Ram Teri Ganga Maili, but was dropped for being too young: 'I wasn't even 14' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/khushbu-sundar-was-raj-kapoor-first-choice-ram-teri-ganga-maili-dropped-for-being-too-young-9754888/ |work=The Indian Express |date=2 January 2025 |language=en-in}}</ref>
 
The inspiration for this movie is the song 'Ek Radha, Ek Meera', about the differing kinds of love for Krishna from Radha and Meera. The song had been written and composed by then new music director [[Ravindra Jain]]. Upon hearing the song (being sung on the stage by Ravindra Jain himself) at a wedding, Raj Kapoor was struck by the song. He later invited the singer to sing the same song to him again. Thus was born a movie, from the love of a song. The entire movie was conceived from that one song. This incident was narrated by [[Randhir Kapoor]], who had accompanied his father to that wedding.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-23 | title=How Raj Kapoor Conceived The Idea For His Cult Film Ram Teri Ganga Maili|url=https://www.news18.com/entertainment/bollywood/how-raj-kapoor-conceived-the-idea-for-his-cult-film-ram-teri-ganga-maili-7672609.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506190602/www.news18.com/entertainment/bollywood/how-raj-kapoor-conceived-the-idea-for-his-cult-film-ram-teri-ganga-maili-7672609.html|archive-date=6 May 2023|access-date=2024-12-15|website=[[News18]]}} </ref>


==Cultural allusions==
==Cultural allusions==
According to [[Philip Lutgendorf]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/RamTeriGM.html |title=Ram teri Ganga Maili |publisher=University of Iowa, South Asian Studies Program |author=Philip Lutgendorf |access-date=19 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228010453/http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/RamTeriGM.html |archive-date=28 December 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> the movie is an allegory that "synthesizes classical and mythic narrative, soft-core political and social commentary (here condemning the corruption of politicians and capitalists and championing the [[Ganga action plan|nascent environmental initiatives]] of Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]]). The narrative recapitulates the [[Abhijñānaśākuntalam]] story that first appeared in the epic [[Mahabharata]] and then was reworked, some six hundred years later, by the poet [[Kalidasa]]."
According to [[Philip Lutgendorf]], the movie is an allegory that "synthesizes classical and mythic narrative, soft-core political and social commentary (here condemning the corruption of politicians and capitalists and championing the nascent environmental initiatives of Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]]). The narrative recapitulates the ''[[Abhijñānaśākuntalam]]'' story that first appeared in the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and then was reworked, some six hundred years later, by the poet [[Kalidasa]]."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/RamTeriGM.html |title=Ram teri Ganga Maili |publisher=University of Iowa, South Asian Studies Program |author=Philip Lutgendorf |access-date=19 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228010453/http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/RamTeriGM.html |archive-date=28 December 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


The final song sequence "Ek Radha ek Meera" brings Raj Kapoor's personal experiences with filmdom and reality. This song sequence is the climax of the plot where the bride-to-be is face-to-face with the other "saut", the culturally "polluted" dancer who has made that journey from the pure source of the Himalayas to the ever-flowing and ever-absorbing Ganges with all of the human impurities. It also differentiates between the love of Radha and Meera and reconnects the movie back to the Krishna Leelas.
==Reception==
''Ram Teri Ganga Maili'' performed well at the box office, becoming the [[List of Bollywood films of 1985|highest-grossing Indian film of the year]], which ''[[Box Office India]]'' classified as an "All-Time Blockbuster". It collected a nett amount of ₹9.5 crore.<ref name=BO>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-14|title=Boxofficeindia.com|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=125&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014093336/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=125&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-14|access-date=2020-08-07}}</ref>


The movie was a hit, and it earned Mandakini a [[Filmfare]] nomination as Best Actress.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |title=Filmfare Awards |access-date=14 September 2008 |page=71}}</ref> The film also caused a stir because of two scenes: one in which Mandakini bathes under a waterfall wearing only a flimsy white [[saree]] through which her breasts are clearly visible and another in which she is shown breast-feeding a child. Some critics claimed that the scenes were vulgar and exploitative, and were used to get around the Censor Board's stringent rules against [[nudity]]. Kapoor defended the inclusion of the scenes stating that they were tasteful.
The film also caused a stir because of two scenes: one in which Mandakini bathes under a waterfall wearing only a flimsy white [[saree]] through which her breasts are partially visible and another in which she is shown breast-feeding a child. Some critics claimed that the scenes were vulgar and exploitative, and were used to get around the Censor Board's stringent rules against [[nudity]]. Kapoor defended the inclusion of the scenes stating that they were tasteful.{{cn|date=May 2024}}


==Awards==
==Awards==
The film won five [[Filmfare Awards]].
 
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Movie|Best Film]]
; [[33rd Filmfare Awards]]<nowiki>:</nowiki>
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Director]] – Suresh Sawant
 
;Won
 
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]] – [[Randhir Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] – [[Raj Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] – [[Raj Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Editing|Best Editor]] – Raj Kapoor<ref>{{cite web |title=Best Editor Award| url = http://recipeguide.indiatimes.com/awards2001/ex_editor.htm |publisher=Official Listings, [[Indiatimes]] | access-date = 29 April 2014 }}</ref>
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] – [[Ravindra Jain]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] – [[Ravindra Jain]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]] – Suresh J. Sawant
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] – Raj Kapoor
;Nominated<ref>{{cite web |url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |title=Filmfare Awards |access-date=14 September 2008 |page=71 |archive-date=12 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] – [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] – [[Saeed Jaffrey]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]] – [[Hasrat Jaipuri]] for "Sun Sahiba Sun"
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] – [[Suresh Wadkar]] for "Main Hi Main Hoon"
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Story|Best Story]] – Raj Kapoor


==Songs==
==Songs==
Music of this movie was given by late [[Ravindra Jain]], who won Fimfare Award for Best Music Director for this.
Music of this movie was given by late [[Ravindra Jain]], who won Fimfare Award for Best Music Director for this.
# "Ek Dukhiyari Kahe" – [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
# "Ek Dukhiyari Kahe" – [[Lata Mangeshkar]] Lyrics-[[Ravindra Jain]]
# "Ek Radha Ek Meera" – Lata Mangeshkar
# "Ek Radha Ek Meera" – Lata Mangeshkar, Lyrics-[[Ravindra Jain]], Raga [[Kirwani]]
# "Husn Pahadon Ka" – Lata Mangeshkar, [[Suresh Wadkar]]
# "Husn Pahadon Ka" – Lata Mangeshkar, [[Suresh Wadkar]], Lyrics-[[Ravindra Jain]], Raga Pahadi
# "Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayee" – Part 1 – Suresh Wadkar
# "Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayee" – Part 1 – Suresh Wadkar Lyrics-[[Ravindra Jain]], Raga [[Ahir Bhairav]]
# "Sun Sahiba Sun Pyaar Ki Dhun Maine Tujhe Chun Liya" – Lata Mangeshkar; Lyrics – [[Hasrat Jaipuri]]
# "Sun Sahiba Sun Pyaar Ki Dhun Maine Tujhe Chun Liya" – Lata Mangeshkar & chorus; Lyrics – [[Hasrat Jaipuri]]
# "Tujhe Bulayen Yeh Meri Bahen" – Lata Mangeshkar
# "Tujhe Bulayen Yeh Meri Bahen" – Lata Mangeshkar Lyrics-[[Ravindra Jain]]
# "Yaara O Yaara" – Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar
# "Yaara O Yaara" – Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar Lyrics-[[Ravindra Jain]]
# "Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayee" – Part 2 – Suresh Wadkar
# "Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayee" – Part 2 – Suresh Wadkar & Chorus Lyrics-[[Ravindra Jain]], Raga [[Ahir Bhairav]]
# "Main Hi Main Hoon -Suresh Wadkar; Lyrics – Amir Qazalbash
# "Main Hi Main Hoon -Suresh Wadkar; Lyrics – Amir Qazalbash


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[[Category:1985 films]]
[[Category:1985 films]]
[[Category:1980s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1985 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Raj Kapoor]]
[[Category:Films directed by Raj Kapoor]]
[[Category:Films set in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Films set in Kolkata]]
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[[Category:1980s erotic drama films]]
[[Category:1980s erotic drama films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ravindra Jain]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ravindra Jain]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1985 drama films]]
[[Category:1985 drama films]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in film]]
[[Category:Film censorship in India]]
[[Category:Censored films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Wai, Maharashtra]]
[[Category:1985 controversies]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Films shot in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films about sexual abuse]]
[[Category:Hindi-language romance films]]

Latest revision as of 05:31, 4 March 2026


Ram Teri Ganga Maili
File:Ram Teri Ganga Maili.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRaj Kapoor
Produced byRandhir Kapoor
Written byRaj Kapoor
V. P. Sathe
K. K. Singh
Jyoti Swaroop
StarringRajiv Kapoor
Mandakini
Music byRavindra Jain
CinematographyRadhu Karmakar
Edited byRaj Kapoor
Distributed byR. K. Films
Release date
  • 16 August 1985 (1985-08-16)
Running time
178 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹1.44 crore
Box officeest. ₹19 crore

Ram Teri Ganga Maili (transl. Ram, your Ganga is tainted) is a 1985 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film co-written and directed by Raj Kapoor. The film stars Rajiv Kapoor and Mandakini. The music was composed by Ravindra Jain. It was the last film directed by Kapoor.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili was released on 16 August 1985. The film was the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, which Box Office India classified as an "All-Time Blockbuster".[1] It was also one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the 1980s, alongside Kranti (1981) and Maine Pyar Kiya (1989).

The film won five Filmfare Awards. The film generated controversy because of Mandakini's scenes of breastfeeding and bathing in a translucent saree. The film still received a U (Universal) certificate from the Indian Film Certification Board, which was later amended to U/A.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Narendra Sahay a.k.a. "Naren" is the son of Jeeva Sahay, a rich politician in Calcutta. Naren visits Gangotri to study the source of the holy river Ganga, and to get some holy water for his wheelchair-using paternal grandmother. There, he meets a very pretty girl named Ganga Singh. Ganga lives near Gangotri with her brother, Karam. Naren sees Ganga bathing in a white saree under the waterfall and she later helps him to collect the holy water. Soon, they fall in love, decide to marry and sleep together. They are happily married but Naren has to return to Calcutta as he wanted to convince his parents about accepting Ganga as their daughter-in-law. He promises Ganga that he will soon return to her.

Ganga is pregnant with Naren's child and she gives birth to a son. She faces many problems because of her child as well as her beauty. Her brother Karam is killed and Ganga finds herself alone. Finally deciding to go to her husband, Ganga travels from Gangotri to Calcutta. However, the journey is fraught with hardship and misadventures. She makes it as far as Benaras, and is helped by police with a ticket to Calcutta. However, she falls into the clutches of a man who lures her to a brothel.

Bhagwat Choudhary, a rich politician, buys Ganga and brings her to his "bagan bari" (house near a garden) as a concubine. Bhagwat has arranged for his daughter, Radha to wed to Naren, who was informed that Ganga is dead. However, Naren's maternal uncle, Kunj Bihari, finds Ganga in Bhagwat's bagan bari and learns her story. He asks her to appear at her husband's wedding to test if her husband can recognize her or not.

Naren recognizes Ganga at the ceremony. However, his father refuses to accept Ganga as his daughter-in-law. Naren also finds out about his son and the three try to leave. However, Bhagwat Choudhary shoots Ganga in a fit of rage, causing Naren to thrash Bhagwat Choudhary. Radha then informs him that Ganga has survived and Naren leaves with Ganga and their son to live by the river Ganga.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

According to Padmini Kolhapure, she was the initial choice for the female lead role but declined because the script had a kissing scene.[2] Mandakini, who ultimately played the role, disputed Kolhapure's claims. She said Raj Kapoor wanted only a new face, rather than an established actress, as he believed he could not "make someone pure Ganga if they have an established image". Mandakini also stated that she did not breastfeed despite popular belief, but the scene was shot in a way to suggest that.[3] in 2025, Khusboo revealed that she was first choice for playing Ganga.[4]

The inspiration for this movie is the song 'Ek Radha, Ek Meera', about the differing kinds of love for Krishna from Radha and Meera. The song had been written and composed by then new music director Ravindra Jain. Upon hearing the song (being sung on the stage by Ravindra Jain himself) at a wedding, Raj Kapoor was struck by the song. He later invited the singer to sing the same song to him again. Thus was born a movie, from the love of a song. The entire movie was conceived from that one song. This incident was narrated by Randhir Kapoor, who had accompanied his father to that wedding.[5]

Cultural allusions[edit | edit source]

According to Philip Lutgendorf, the movie is an allegory that "synthesizes classical and mythic narrative, soft-core political and social commentary (here condemning the corruption of politicians and capitalists and championing the nascent environmental initiatives of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi). The narrative recapitulates the Abhijñānaśākuntalam story that first appeared in the epic Mahabharata and then was reworked, some six hundred years later, by the poet Kalidasa."[6]

Reception[edit | edit source]

Ram Teri Ganga Maili performed well at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, which Box Office India classified as an "All-Time Blockbuster". It collected a nett amount of ₹9.5 crore.[1]

The film also caused a stir because of two scenes: one in which Mandakini bathes under a waterfall wearing only a flimsy white saree through which her breasts are partially visible and another in which she is shown breast-feeding a child. Some critics claimed that the scenes were vulgar and exploitative, and were used to get around the Censor Board's stringent rules against nudity. Kapoor defended the inclusion of the scenes stating that they were tasteful.[citation needed]

Awards[edit | edit source]

33rd Filmfare Awards:
Won
Nominated[7]

Songs[edit | edit source]

Music of this movie was given by late Ravindra Jain, who won Fimfare Award for Best Music Director for this.

  1. "Ek Dukhiyari Kahe" – Lata Mangeshkar Lyrics-Ravindra Jain
  2. "Ek Radha Ek Meera" – Lata Mangeshkar, Lyrics-Ravindra Jain, Raga Kirwani
  3. "Husn Pahadon Ka" – Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar, Lyrics-Ravindra Jain, Raga Pahadi
  4. "Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayee" – Part 1 – Suresh Wadkar Lyrics-Ravindra Jain, Raga Ahir Bhairav
  5. "Sun Sahiba Sun Pyaar Ki Dhun Maine Tujhe Chun Liya" – Lata Mangeshkar & chorus; Lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri
  6. "Tujhe Bulayen Yeh Meri Bahen" – Lata Mangeshkar Lyrics-Ravindra Jain
  7. "Yaara O Yaara" – Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar Lyrics-Ravindra Jain
  8. "Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayee" – Part 2 – Suresh Wadkar & Chorus Lyrics-Ravindra Jain, Raga Ahir Bhairav
  9. "Main Hi Main Hoon -Suresh Wadkar; Lyrics – Amir Qazalbash

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Boxofficeindia.com". 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "Padmini Kolhapure rejected Ram Teri Ganga Maili because of one scene, says Raj Kapoor wanted to replace Mandakini". Hindustan Times. 28 March 2021. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "Mandakini on her breastfeeding scene in Ram Teri Ganga Maili: 'It was nothing compared to what happens today'". Hindustan Times. 24 August 2022. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Khushbu Sundar reveals she was Raj Kapoor's first choice for Ram Teri Ganga Maili, but was dropped for being too young: 'I wasn't even 14'". The Indian Express. 2 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "How Raj Kapoor Conceived The Idea For His Cult Film Ram Teri Ganga Maili". News18. 23 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Philip Lutgendorf. "Ram teri Ganga Maili". University of Iowa, South Asian Studies Program. Archived from the original on 28 December 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Filmfare Awards" (PDF). p. 71. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2008.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:FilmfareAwardBestFilm 1971–1990

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