Raj Kapoor mortgaged wife Krishna's gold bangles to make 'Mera Naam Joker': 'Manoj Kumar thought the film was long and wanted to edit it'
- Posted on July 24, 2026
- By The Times of India
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
Raj Kapoor's ambitious masterpiece Mera Naam Joker stands as a cautionary tale in Indian cinema history. The 1970 film's commercial failure devastated the legendary director financially, forcing him to pledge his wife Krishna's jewelry and mortgage his prestigious RK Studios to settle mounting debts. Despite its initial box office disappointment, the film's legacy reflects the artistic risks and personal sacrifices Kapoor endured to realize his visionary project.
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Raj Kapoor mortgaged wife Krishna's gold bangles to make 'Mera Naam Joker': 'Manoj Kumar thought the film was long and wanted to edit it'
Raj Kapoor’s passion project Mera Naam Joker has long been remembered not only for its ambition but also for the financial turmoil it caused. After the film failed at the box office upon its 1970 release, the legendary filmmaker was left burdened with heavy debt and was even forced to mortgage RK Studios to repay creditors.
