Rajiv Kapoor stardom and scandle: The rift after Ram Teri Ganga Maili

Ram Teri Ganga Maili is included in the 'All-Time Blockbusters' list of Indian Cinema. It was certified Diamond Jubilee in Mumbai and Golden Jubilee in other major cities. The film was the year's highest-grossing film. 

Bollywood actor Rajiv Kapoor died at the age of 58 on Tuesday. The son of legendary Raj Kapoor  who left no stone unturned in shaping the career of his three sons, but only few  know about the rift between Raj Kapoor and his younger son Rajiv Kapoor over a film.

According to Madhu Jain's book 'The Kapoors', Raj Kapoor launched his youngest son Rajiv Kapoor from the film 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili'. The film was a hit but actress Mandakini benefited more than Rajiv Kapoor because of  the very controversial scenes featuring Mandakini's breastfeeding and bathing in a transparent saree, which wasn't something the conservative Indian Censor Board allowed then. Yet, it had a U (Universal) age rating, which was later amended to U/A. It was the last film directed by Raj Kapoor.

At that time, while the film was becoming famous, at the same time, the hero of this film, Rajiv Kapoor, was growing angry with his father. After this film, there was a conflict between Rajiv Kapoor and Raj Kapoor. 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' just remained confined around Raj Kapoor and Mandakini. Rajiv Kapoor did not get much fame from this film being a hit. Mandakini became a star overnight after a film, but Rajiv Kapoor remained Raj Kapoor's son

Rajiv Kapoor believed that Raj Kapoor is responsible for this. Actually, Rajiv Kapoor wanted Raj Kapoor to make another film for him after 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili'. They projected him like a hero in one of those film so that the benefit of being a star, which Mandakini had got in RTGM would be experienced by him too.

Despite Rajiv Kapoor's fondness, Raj Kapoor did not do so and Rajiv was hired by Raj Kapoor as an assistant. He used to do all the work of the unit which used to be a spot boy and assistant. After 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', Rajiv Kapoor appeared in films like 'Lover Boy', 'Angare', 'Jaljala', 'Thank You', 'Hum To Chale Pardes', but his films did not work.

It is said that Rajiv Kapoor never expressed his frustration in front of Raj Kapoor but kept away from Raj Kapoor's funeral. They remained isolated for three days, separated from the Kapoor family.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili is included in the 'All-Time Blockbusters' list of Indian Cinema. It was certified Diamond Jubilee in Mumbai and Golden Jubilee in other major cities.The film was the year's highest-grossing film. 

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