Fact-O-Meter: Raj Kapoor’s Sangam & Mera Naam Joker Are The Only Bollywood Films With Two Intervals

There was a point in Bollywood when films were used to be quite lengthy. Different filmmakers share a different point of views on the film’s length. Speaking of modern times, Ashutosh Gowariker and Rajkumar Hirani are known to make films which are longer in duration. But do you know, late Raj Kapoor is the only one to deliver the films with two intervals. Just imagine the length!

Yes, Raj Kapoor’s Sangam (1964) and Mera Naam Joker (1970) are the only Bollywood films with two intervals. Sangam featured Vyjayanthimala, Raj Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar in lead roles. The film was directed, produced and edited by Kapoor himself. It had a runtime of 238 minutes i.e. 3 hours and 58 minutes. But contrary to its length, the film received much love from the audience back then. It was declared as Blockbuster at the box office. It was amongst the highest grosses of the decade along with films like Mughal-E-Azam.

Speaking about Mera Naam Joker, the film was the most ambitious project of Raj Kapoor. He spent a hefty amount at that time, to make this project. It featured Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Manoj Kumar and others in key roles. Like Sangam, this one too was directed, produced and edited by Kapoor himself. The film had a runtime of 239 minutes i.e. 3 hours and 59 minutes. And unlike Sangam, this one tanked miserably at the box office and failed to recover its investments.

Interestingly, it turned out to be a big hit in the Soviet Union or Soviet Russia upon its release in 1972. It was released in three parts there.

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