![\"Raj](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132603310,imgsize-238801,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/raj-kapoor-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nRaj Kapoor<\/a>\u2019s 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. According to his nephew, Monty Premnath, Raj Kapoor\u2019s financial struggles had begun much earlier, during the film\u2019s production, when he allegedly mortgaged his wife Krishna Kapoor\u2019s gold bangles to ensure the project was completed.Monty, the son of late actor Premnath, looked back on the making of the iconic film. He revealed that actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar<\/a>, whom he had assisted on several projects, believed Mera Naam Joker was too long and had suggested trimming it. The film, which released with two intervals, had a runtime of over four hours.Recalling the conversation, Monty said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, \u201cManoj Kumar told Raj Kapoor, \u2018Let me edit your second and third part\u2019. He found it long,\u201d before adding, \u201cRaj Kapoor wanted to make a fourth chapter with my father (Premnath) and Sharmila Tagore because he got so passionate, he was so involved in it.\u201d Manoj Kumar also made a brief appearance in the film as the boyfriend of Simi Garewal\u2019s character.According to Monty, Raj Kapoor firmly turned down the suggestion. \u201cRaj Kapoor told Manoj Kumar, \u2018This is my product. I won\u2019t let you touch my product. Whatever has been made, it is my conviction,\u201d he said. When Manoj reportedly pointed out the enormous amount of money invested in the film, Raj remained unwavering, replying, \u201cSo what? I earned it all because of films, and I have invested it all in my film.\u201dMonty said the filmmaker was willing to sacrifice everything for his vision. \u201cRaj uncle even mortgaged his wife Krishna\u2019s gold bangles for the film,\u201d he said, adding that Raj Kapoor\u2019s commitment reminded him of Manoj Kumar, who also sold several of his properties to complete Kranti.A similar story had earlier been shared by Manoj Kumar\u2019s son, Kunal Goswami, who recalled discussions between the two filmmakers over the film\u2019s edit. \u201cThere was some dialogue between Raj saab and Dad. Dad had told him that you allow me to edit the second half of the film so we can change the shape of the film. But I don\u2019t know whether that happened or didn\u2019t happen. Dad told me that this discussion happened, about editing, not direction.\u201dIn an earlier interview with Mumbai Mirror, Manoj Kumar had also revealed that he helped rework one of the film\u2019s story segments but chose not to seek recognition for his contribution. He also said he covered his own travel and accommodation expenses during the production.\u201cThe first story in this three-story film was reworked by me, but I didn\u2019t do it for name, fame or money. I paid for my travel expenses and hotel stay and refused to take credit as writer. Mera Naam Joker was my tribute to karmayogi Raj Kapoor. In Urdu \u2018awara\u2019 means \u2018khushboo\u2019 and even today, the \u2018fragrance\u2019 of Raj Kapoor fills our senses.\u201d<\/div>\n