Raaka in 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai' was one of Pran's most unforgettable roles in a Raj Kapoor film 


Pran did a lot of work on the development of Raaka in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai 


By Rajesh Ahuja 


Known for his close association with Raj Kapoor,  legendary actor Pran worked with the Bollywood showman in many films, from Aah(1953) to Bobby (1973). 


However,  among his various performances in a Raj Kapoor film,  Pran rates his performance in the dacoit drama Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)as one of his 'most unforgettable ones'. 


In his biography titled 'And Pran ', the legendary actor lists his performance as 'Raaka' as among his 'most unforgettable roles. 


'From Aah(1953) to Bobby (1973),I acted in many Raj Kapoor's films. But the most unforgettable role among them all was the one in 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai','Pran wrote in his biography. 



Pran lists his role as Raaka in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai as one of his most unforgettable ones in a Raj Kapoor film 




Inspired by initiatives of Vinoba Bhave and Jayaprakash Narayan, which , in the 60s, led to hundreds of dacoits to  surrender to police and enter the mainstream of the society, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai,  released in 1960, was directed by Radhu Karmakar, a cinematographer in many of Raj Kapoor's films,  and produced by Raj Kapoor. . 


Starring Raj Kapoor,  Padmini and Pran in lead roles,  Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai is the story of an orphan Raju(Raj Kapoor) who convince dacoits to surrender to the police in order to ensure good and respectful life to their family, especially their children. 


The film's featured Pran as menacing dacoit Raaka,  who is opposed to efforts of Raju to get dacoits to surrender. 


Talking about the film,  Pran,  speaking in his biography,  revealed, 'when Raj Kapoor narrated the story of the film to me and asked me to play the role of the dacoit Raaka, I became extremely eager to do the film. 


I put in a lot of thought for the development of that character , his fiery personality,  look and get up..' 


Although,  Pran did not get a Filmfare Award for the role,  he was nominated for Best Supporting actor for the film. 


Also, Raj Kapoor himself presented him with a shield in appreciation of his work of the brilliant job he had done in the film,  at a ceremony in Calcutta. 


Pran's mannerisms as Raaka won a lot of praise from cinelovers. 


Also Read 


When Pran charged just one rupee from Raj Kapoor for Bobby 



Pran and Dev Anand: a lucky combination in Bollywood 







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