Mera Naam Joker (1972)

Raju is a joker, a clown. It is what he is and what he always shall be. As his life story unfolds in three chapters, from his school days to the circus to the streets, he must always make ... See full summary »

Director:

Raj Kapoor

Writers:

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (dialogue), Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (screenplay),

Stars:

Manoj Kumar, Simi Garewal, Achala Sachdev

5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Manoj Kumar	...	David
Simi Garewal	...	Mary
Achala Sachdev	...	Raju's Mother (as Achla Sachdev)
Rishi Kapoor	...	Young Raju
Dharmendra	...	Mahender Kumar (as Dharmender)
Dara Singh	...	Sher Singh
Eduard Sjereda	...	Member of the Soviet State Circus (as Edward Sereda)
Ksenia Ryabinkina	...	Marina (as Miss Ksiena Rabiankina of the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow)
Rajendra Kumar	...	Mahender Kumar (as Rajender Kumar)
Padmini	...	Meena / Meena Banu Bochali / Master Meenu
Om Prakash	...	Circus Surgeon
Agha	...	Circus Surgeon
Rajendra Nath	...	Circus Surgeon
Sunder	...	Circus Surgeon
Mukri	...	Circus Surgeon

Storyline

Raju is a joker, a clown. It is what he is and what he always shall be. As his life story unfolds in three chapters, from his school days to the circus to the streets, he must always make people laugh and be happy, no matter how unhappy he is within. Along the way, Raju loves and loses, but must always keep a smile on his face because, in the words of his circus manager, "The show must go on." Over six years in the making, "Mera Naam Joker" is Raj Kapoor's semi-autobiographical story of the life, love, and philosophy of an entertainer.

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Plot Keywords:

joker | circus | philosophy | clown | entertainer | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi Russian English

Release Date:

1972 (Peru)

Also Known As:

My Name Is Joker

Filming Locations:

Moscow, Russia

Company Credits

Production Co:

R.K. Films Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

224 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor) Black and White (partial)

Aspect Ratio:

1.44 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Life" magazine that Rajoo (Raj Kapoor) reads on the flight to Mumbai has the same picture on the cover as the one issued in the US on 16 September 1966. The cover shows the famous picture of Sophia Loren in her lingerie by Alfred Eisenstaedt beside the headline "The Face of Our Time". The magazine held by Rajoo is an Asia edition whose other headline ("Election surprise in Vietnam") is different to the US edition's "Assassination in South Africa" suggesting that it must have been published later.

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Crazy Credits

at the end of the cast list.........: ".......with a cast of thousands"

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Connections

Referenced in Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Daag Na Lag Jaaye Hai Kahin Daag Na Lag Jaaye"
Lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri
Music by Shankarsingh Raghuwanshi and Jaikishan Dayabhai Pankal (as Shankar-Jaikishan)
Sung by Asha Bhosle and Mukesh

User Reviews

A great philosophy

One of the greatest films ever made in India.No film has ever evoked my heart to such an extent and it's philosophy is outstanding.THe musical theme is magnificent and the songs remarkable.The story of a clown making the world laugh while secretly brushing that tear from his eye is like re-writing the life of Charlie Chaplin in the Indian form.The symbol of the joker however is over repeated after the first part which partly created a monotony for viewers.

I can never forger the scene when he smiles with a tear in his eyes after removing his glasses telling Russian actress Marina in the Circus that he is not sad.It is an absolutely heart touching film unsurpassed in the annals of Indian film history.

By Harsh Thakor