This has really been a gut-wrenching week with the Delhi rape horror leaving all of us in a complete state of shock, anger and disbelief. What has been particularly revolting is the gruesome nature of the crime which has spurred the whole of India to seeking the death penalty for the accused.

In this grim setting, I am reminded of a Hindi film, Ghar , which hit the screens in early 1978. The theme revolves around a couple deeply in love. Their happy existence is rudely shattered when the wife is gang-raped and the husband assaulted. The challenge now is to put their lives in order all over again. Both are still traumatised and the way they cope during this difficult transition forms the core of Ghar .

What is incredible about the film is the enormous sensitivity displayed by Vinod Mehra and Rekha in enacting a subject like rape. Their love for each other is so touching that it pains you to see them go through this ordeal. Yet, it is this very edifice of love that triumphs and lays the base for a new beginning. Ghar had fabulous songs ( Phir Wohi Raat Hai , Aap Ki Aankhon Mein , Tere Bina Jiya ) too, which are remembered even today.

Rekha, as always, was effortless in portraying the transition from someone deliriously happy with her husband to the shattered rape victim struggling to come out of a bottomless abyss. It is a class act from someone whose versatility is evident in films such as Khubsoorat, Utsav , Silsila and the more recent Umrao Jaan .

Mehra never did quite crack the big league in Hindi cinema as he was part of an era which had a plethora of saleable stars right from Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna to Shashi Kapoor and Dharmendra. Yet, his sensitive portrayals in Lal Patthar, Amar Prem, Anuraag , Anurodh and, of course, Ghar will always be remembered. Mehra died when he was just 45, a sad end for someone who did not quite have a superstar status but whose talent was never in doubt.

And how did Ghar fare at the box-office in 1978? Well, it was up against three top Bachchan starrers – Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Tris hul and Don – and did not quite stand a chance against them.

However, it did win an award for the Best Story which was some consolation for a film that deserved so much more. Clearly, tastes were different then because it was the era of action which was all-pervasive.

In contrast, Ghar was tame and did not quite set the cash counters ringing.

Yet, it deserves to be seen again and again, especially in these troubled times when people are losing faith in the system and anger is pouring out on the streets.

>murali.gopalan@thehindu.co.in

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