Ram Teri Ganga Maili () 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". 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. in 2025, Khusboo revealed that she was first choice for playing Ganga.

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.

Cultural allusions

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."

Reception

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.

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.

Awards

; 33rd Filmfare Awards<nowiki>:</nowiki>

;Won

  • Best Film – Randhir Kapoor
  • Best Director – Raj Kapoor
  • Best Music Director – Ravindra Jain
  • Best Art Direction – Suresh J. Sawant
  • Best Editing – Raj Kapoor

;Nominated

  • Best Actress – Mandakini
  • Best Supporting Actor – Saeed Jaffrey
  • Best Lyricist – Hasrat Jaipuri for "Sun Sahiba Sun"
  • Best Male Playback Singer – Suresh Wadkar for "Main Hi Main Hoon"
  • Best Story – Raj Kapoor

Songs

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