Prem Granth

Prem Granth ( Scripture of love) is an Indian Hindi-language film which was released in India on 22 May 1996. Directed by Rajiv Kapoor, the movie stars Rishi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit and deals with the subject of rape. It serves as an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's English novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Plot Somen, a lawyer and son of head priest Swami Dharam Bhushan Maharaj, has strong character and courage of conviction. He believes in equality and freedom and often confronts his father on issues of social justice and religion. He especially disapproves of Kedar Nath, who uses his father's clout to exploit the treasury in the temple. His uncle Nandlal owns a prosperous dairy farm and keeps himself away from the affairs of religion and social obligations, citing them as unjust and outdated. Somen meets a beautiful young woman, Kajri, at the annual festival and is immediately drawn towards her despite her lower caste status and they fall in love. They part unexpectedly, leaving the fire of love burning in Somen. He strives to find Kajri, but in vain. Kajri and her father Baliram are on their way back to their village Bansipura, where en route Kajri is kidnapped and forcefully raped by a mysterious drunkard, leaving Kajri pregnant. Kajri's mother's sister wants to marry her to a shoemaker, but Kajri secretly leaves the village and gives birth. She begs for food so her breasts would become full of milk and her child can survive. But the baby dies and Kajri meets Swami Dharam Bhushan to cremate the child, but he refuses. Kajri buries the baby.