Manoj Kumar once offered to edit Raj Kapoor’s film which flopped at box office after release, earned Rs…, lead actor was…

Manoj Kumar earned the title of “Bharat Kumar” due to his extensive filmography around patriotism and National issues. One of Hindi cinema’s most iconic heroes, he was also a close friend of legendary actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor. Recently, in an interview, his son Kunal Goswami shared behind-the-scenes stories about his father’s involvement with Raj Kapoor’s most ambitious project Mera Naam Joker, which later turned out to be a massive flop.

Manoj Kumar wanted to re-edit Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker

During a YouTube interview with Vickey Lalwani, Kunal revealed that Mera Naam Joker was very close to his father’s heart as much as it was to Raj Kapoor. Despite showcasing artistic depth and ground-breaking plot, the film turned out to be a commercial disaster, pushing Kapoor into verge of bankruptcy. Manoj Kumar, who had a very short role in the film, stood by Raj Kapoor during his tumultuous phase.

Kunal revealed that his father offered to edit the second half of the film. “Papa told Raj saab, ‘Let me work on the second half, maybe trim it down, or give it a tighter rhythm,” said Kunal. There was an indeed discussion between the two filmmakers about the possibility of Kumar stepping in to edit the latter half, “He wanted the film to connect better with the audience, not because he thought it was flawed, but because he believed in it so much.” Kunal added. He clarified that his father never directed any part of Mera Naam Joker, the whole film was made by Raj Kapoor himself.

About Mera Naam Joker

Made in Rs 1 crore, Mera Naam Joker was a big-budget film that failed to perform commercially well, grossing Rs 80 lakh in India. However, over the years, it has earned a cult following and is considered one of Raj Kapoor’s most experimental and vulnerable projects. Besides Kapoor, the film also include performances by Rishi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Dharmendra, and others.

 

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