Raj KapoorMera Naam Joker’s passion project 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 release in 1970, the legendary filmmaker was saddled with huge debt and was even forced to mortgage RK Studios to pay off creditors. According to his nephew, Monty Premnath, Raj Kapoor’s financial struggles had started much earlier, during the film’s production, when he allegedly mortgaged his wife Krishna Kapoor’s gold bangles to ensure the project was completed.Monty, the son of the late actor Premnath, looked back on the making of the iconic film. This actor-filmmaker revealed Manoj Kumarwhom he had assisted in several projects, felt that Mera Naam Joker was too long and had suggested cutting it. The film, which was released in two intervals, ran for more than four hours.Recalling the conversation, Monty said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, “Manoj Kumar said to Raj Kapoor, ‘Let me edit your second and third part.’ Manoj Kumar also made a brief appearance in the film as the boyfriend of Simi Garewal’s character.According to Monty, Raj Kapoor strongly rejected the suggestion. “Raj Kapoor told Manoj Kumar, “This is my product. I won’t let you touch my product. Whatever has been done is my belief,” he said. When Manoj pointed out the huge amount of money invested in the film, Raj remained adamant and replied, “So what? I earned everything through films and I have invested everything in my film.”Monty said the filmmaker was willing to sacrifice everything for his vision. “Uncle Raj even mortgaged his wife Krishna’s gold bangles for the film,” he said, adding that Raj Kapoor’s 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’s son Kunal Goswami, who recalled discussions between the two filmmakers over the editing of the film. “There was a dialogue between Raj Saab and the father. The father had told him that you allow me to edit the second half of the film so that we can change the shape of the film. But I don’t know if that happened or not. Dad told me this discussion happened, about editing, not directing.“In an earlier interview with Mumbai Mirror, Manoj Kumar had also revealed that he helped rework one of the film’s story segments but chose not to seek recognition for his contribution. He also said he covered his own travel and accommodation expenses during production.“The first story of this three-story film was reworked by me, but I didn’t do it for name, fame or money. I paid my travel and hotel expenses and refused to take credit as a writer. Mera Naam Joker was my tribute to karmayogi Raj Kapoor. In Urdu ‘awara’ means ‘khushboo’ and even today, our sense of ‘Kapfragrance’ fills our sense of ‘Raja’.