Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Mandakini Revisits Ram Teri Ganga Maili's Controversial Scenes
Mandakini acted in the film Ram Teri Ganga Maili when she was 16.
One famous scene showed her bathing in a waterfall while wearing a translucent white saree.
She said she did not feel the scene was vulgar when it was filmed.
She described director Raj Kapoor as gentle and caring.
She also said she chose to double the saree during the scene.
Another controversial moment appeared to show her breastfeeding a baby.
Mandakini explained that the baby was held close to her, but there was no actual breastfeeding.
She said the camera angle created that impression.
The film came out in 1985 and won five Filmfare Awards.
Mandakini said she did not feel vulgarity or discomfort while filming the waterfall scene.
She said Raj Kapoor directed her gently and allowed her to double the saree for the shot.
Mandakini clarified that the famous breastfeeding scene used camera angles and involved no actual breastfeeding.
Ram Teri Ganga Maili was released on 16 August 1985 and became the year's highest-grossing Indian film.
The film won five Filmfare Awards despite controversy over its bathing and breastfeeding scenes.
- Who
- Veteran actor Mandakini and filmmaker Raj Kapoor are central to the account.
- What
- Mandakini discussed how the waterfall and apparent breastfeeding scenes in Ram Teri Ganga Maili were filmed.
- When
- The film was released on 16 August 1985; Mandakini recalled filming it at age 16.
- Where
- The scenes appeared in the Indian film Ram Teri Ganga Maili.
- Why
- Mandakini addressed longstanding public controversy and clarified that she did not experience the waterfall scene as vulgar and that there was no actual breastfeeding.
Mandakini's Account
Public Controversy
Waterfall scene
Mandakini's Account
Mandakini said Raj Kapoor's gentle direction made her feel no vulgarity or disgust, and she did not feel uncomfortable while filming it.
Public Controversy
The scene became controversial because Mandakini appeared in a translucent white saree while bathing.
Apparent breastfeeding
Mandakini's Account
Mandakini said there was no actual breastfeeding; the baby's position and camera angles created that impression.
Public Controversy
Viewers and public discussion treated the scene as a breastfeeding depiction, contributing to the film's controversy.
Film certification
Mandakini's Account
The film received a U, or Universal, certificate when released.
Public Controversy
The certification was later amended to U/A despite controversy surrounding the bathing and apparent breastfeeding scenes.
- Film
- Ram Teri Ganga Maili
- Release date
- 16 August 1985
- Waterfall scene
- Mandakini wore a translucent white saree while bathing in a waterfall.
- Breastfeeding scene
- Mandakini said the apparent breastfeeding was created through camera angles, without actual breastfeeding.
- Awards
- The film won five Filmfare Awards.
- Box-office status
- Box Office India classified it as an All-Time Blockbuster and identified it as the highest-grossing Indian film of 1985.
- Certification
- The film received a U certificate, later amended to U/A.