Mera Naam Joker: The First Ever Indian Film on the Life of a Clown

– An article by Shivani Gadre

“Ek Joker hai, jaha hai, jesa hai, khush hai. Isliye kyuki wo jo karta hai, auron ke liye karta hai.”

Working as a clown is hard at times, both financially and emotionally. Being a clown, society expects you to be happy and fun every time, but no one cares to know the real person behind the happy mask. The ‘Mera Naam Joker’ (1970) film depicts the real-life tragedy of the clown in a very sensational way. The movie is very lengthy and has three chapters, showing the life of Raju (Joker), played by Raj Kapoor, in three phases: his teenage, youth, and adulthood.

‘Mera Naam Joker’ movie starts with the performance of Raju on stage as a clown, where he is going to get operated for having a bigger heart, which can include all of the world. “Aadmi me dill hota hai, dill me aadmi…” The doctor says to him that it is not normal to have this big a heart. The song ‘Jeena Yahan, Marna Yahan’ does justice to his performance throughout his life.

Dissecting the leads and sides:

Since childhood, Raju has been a great mimicker and yet an intelligent and smart kid. But due to poverty, he was always robbed of many things in his life. Be it schooling or any good opportunities that he had to leave because of not having enough money and also desiring to live a simple life similar to his dad. Raju was very considerate man, who always have done things for others to keep happy. Raju’s habit of giving roses from his hat to the women who are close to his heart and desires to have a future with them. This habit of his shows that he was always ready to show his deep love for them through his loving gestures. Also, the Joker Doll given by his mother symbolizes himself, finding connection and love but failing every time. The Joker Doll and the black googles signifies that how people were with Raju in his happy times but during his hard time, the doll was left stranded at hut with dust and spider webs on it and black googles was back every time he wants to cry to hide his sadness from the world.

The film portrays female characters very forwardly, despite being released in the year 1970. Mary (Simi Garewal), Raju’s school teacher, plays a very significant and major role in shaping Raju’s character. First love always has a special place in our hearts; Raju develops feelings for Mary, which shouldn’t be in the student-teacher relationship due to Mary’s understanding, loving, and kind (stereotypical portrayal of female) nature.

Marina (Russian actress Kseniya Ryabinkina) who is trapeze artist in the circus troop of Russian artists. Despite having the language barrier, Raju and Marina learns each other’s languages to have and experience that little connection in the delusional relationship. Raju, who wants to have a career as clown, but also juggling in real life as well between his work and mother, he takes Marina to meet his mother as her ‘Bahu.’ Having no idea of what ‘Bahu’ is, Marina develops instantly an emotional bond as she never experienced mother’s love, calling his mother, “Ma.” This highlights the fact that women are indeed had and will always have emotional depth.

Meena or Meenu Master (Padmini) plays very crucial role as she was the last hope for Raju, who leaves him for the fame. Meenu Master reveals the fear, women usually feel in the social settings. Meena transforms herself just to have that feeling of security in the society, where often women living alone are taken advantage of and treated as weak. Meenu Masters wants to grab every opportunity which will be offered to a man and be successful. But with Raju in Meenu Master’s life, he starts to feel security which he probably did not receive from anyone. And with ‘Ang Lag Ja Balma’ Meenu Master becomes Meena. Meena is not stereotypical women, she’s fierce, selfish, ambitious and hard working towards what she wants. But refuses to settle down with Raju and chooses her career. Women in Raju’s life inspired him but also failed him every time.

Side characters in films play a significant part in the story’s unfolding. Be it the mother of Raju (played by Achala Sachdev) or David (played by Manoj Kumar). By telling Raju’s father’s story to Raju, his mother unintentionally sowed the idea in Raju’s mind of becoming the Joker, to follow the footsteps and legacy of his father. Whereas David gave that last push for Raju to be the Joker proudly. The maturity and understanding shown by David, even after learning that Raju has feelings for Mary (David’s fiancé), are very applaudable.

The musical account:

This film has six major songs. Each song has unique importance in the story and impact on viewers. The songs like, ‘Ae bhai jara dekh ke chalo’ showcases the hard work during his struggling days of getting work in the Gemini Circus or ‘Kehta Hai Joker Sara Jamana,’ when he was struggling to earn some money by running ‘Janta Bioscope.’ But the songs like, ‘Teetar ke do aage Teetar’ showcases the characteristics of Raju. This song underlines the fact that, despite the stereotype of clowns being fools, Raju was intelligent and smart. The questions which was hard to answer for every child in classroom, Raju was at ease while answering them. ‘Jane kaha gaye wo din’ song tells us a sad story of Raju from lyrics.

This film was released in the year of 1970, the time when live-in relationship was not even introduced, ‘Daagh na lag jaaye’ song indicates the fear Meena feels by having live-in relation with Raju. That this relation might not ruin her reputation and character in the society, which is not so much forward to accept such things.

Raju Joker and DC Joker:

To overview ‘Joker’ film of DC, directed by Todd Phillips and ‘Mera Naam Joker’ directed by Raj Kapoor have very different perspective towards the tragic incidents in one’ life. DC’ ‘Joker’ film gives of a very depressive and low vibe. Whereas ‘Mera Naam Joker’ film presents a positive attitude towards life.

Colors and background music have very significant role of showcasing and pressing certain emotions. In DC’ ‘Joker,’ darker shades of colors and very deep and slow background music are mostly used to make viewers feel the depressed phase the protagonist is going through. Which is why, this film, impacts on very deep level, leaving viewers sad.

Whereas in ‘Mera Naam Joker’ film, fresh colors and lively music is used. Even after the death of Raju’s mother, he performs and sings a song, giving justice to his work.

“dasviDAniya!” (Goodbye)

“Lekin joker ka Samachar kabhi khatam nahi hota…”