- 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.—HNSampat-2
- Chubby Raj Ranbir lives a poor lifestyle in Southern India along with his widowed mom. Raj studies in a prestigious school while his mom stitches clothes for a living. When Raj finds out his father's profession, he decides to follow in his footsteps, much to chagrin of his mother. Thus begins Raj's journey.—rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)
- Mera Naam Joker is the story of Raju (Raj Kapoor), considered the best circus clown ever. Ever since Raju's father died in an accident during his performance, Raju's mother had been repulsed by the circus. As luck would have it, Raju had a natural affinity towards the circus world. The film traces Raju's journey from his childhood to the day of his last performance.
The first chapter is about the adolescent Raju (Rishi Kapoor) and deals with his infatuation with his teacher Mary (Simi Garewal). She gives him confidence in himself, and he discovers the world of femininity and desire. She is older than him. Mary's lessons nevertheless aren't lost: Raju comes to realize that he was born to make the world laugh, despite his own troubles. In a scene Mary takes off her wet clothes in a bush by a lake and this is secretly eyed by Raju, in this scene her white bra and panties are seen. Later lying in bed in house Raju imagines that Mary is fully naked, the naked scene shows that a woman is waving her clothes by a lake and her nudity is shown from behind, one of her breasts is partially shown and buttocks are shown clearly. It is not confirmed that the nude scene was done by Simi herself or by a body-double.
The boy falls in love with his teacher, not realizing that the relationship is only in his mind and one sided. Mary probably guesses his juvenile crush on her, but the cock teaser doesn't stop him. Instead she introduces him to her fiance David (Manoj Kumar). David realizes that Raju has a crush on Mary and doesn't react. He also encourages Raju to pursue a career as a joker as he believes that's the only way Raju will be able to live with the heartbreak. Raju is from a poor family and has to conduct street plays to earn his school fees. The school is a upmarket place & one of the parents complains about Raju's antics and the principal decides to kick Raju out. At the same time Mary invites Raju to her wedding as David's best man. He attends her wedding in a state of false merriment.
After his first heartbreak, the story follows adult Raju (Raj Kapoor) who has found work with Gemini Circus as a clown. His dream materializes! The circus is owned by Mahendra Singh (Dharmendra). The circus hosts a visiting group of artists from Russia, and which includes Marina (Ksenia Ryabinkina), the lead Trapezist. Raju is hanging around the circus, when he is confused for a Russian, due to his blue eyes. Raju is further mistaken for a lion tamer & Raju doesn't resist as he is paid rs 200 for the act. Raju enters the lion cage and barely escapes when the Indian lion tamer of Mahendra's circus sabotages the act to kill Raju. Raju is caught and brought before Mahendra, who decides to hire him as a cleaner in the circus when other members of the circus troupe show sympathy towards Raju. Raju gradually falls in love with Marina. He learns some simple tricks from the Russians and Mahendra gives Raju a chance to perform in front of the crowd. Raju's act is a resounding success. Despite the language barrier they become close, and Raju half hopes that they might live together. But he faces heartbreak once again when the circus ends and Marina returns to Russia. It is in this chapter that Raju's mother dies during his performance, watching him perform the very stunts which caused her husband's death.
In the final chapter, Raju has left the circus and wanders aimlessly. One day he meets Meenu (Padmini), an orphaned girl who has ambitions of becoming a famous actress. Meenu and Raju set up an association, start a small circus business and later move on to the theatre. They are quite successful, but their collaboration ends when she is offered a role in a film. She leaves him, and he realizes she has used him in her pursuit of success.
Raju always carries a clown doll which belonged to his father. Every time he falls in love, he gives away his beloved doll, only to see it come back to him. The doll is used as a metaphor for Raju's simplistic heart where there is room for everyone. At the end of the film, Raju is shown doing his final act, as promised to Mahendra. He invites the three ladies he was in love with, to watch his last performance. He also reassures the audience that he will soon be back with more to make his audience laugh again.
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