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On This Day

20 Jul, 1927

Cinemaazi remembers Rajendra Kumar on his birth anniversary.

20 Jul, 1950

Cinemaazi wishes Naseeruddin Shah a very happy birthday

20 Jul, 1967

Cinemaazi remembers P Madhukar on his death anniversary

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Apna Ghar (1942)

Debaki Bose

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Release Date1942
GenreFamily, Social
FormatB-W
LanguageHindi
Run Time156 mins
Gauge35mm

16 views

RAENDRA is an owner of a rich forest and he prefers to stay alone in the midst of this forest. His first wife has died leaving behind her a cloud of mystery about her death. He has trouble with his heart and at times, it becomes very acute. He has a cousin in the town where he goes at times for a change. On one of such occasions, when Narendra was in the town, he sees a lovely girl Mira, but the first sight love does not arise in either of them. So, they are not romantic people for their age.

Mira is the daughter of a business man Chaudhari who is failing in his body as well as his trade. Being on the brink of financial and physical collapse, Chaudhari has a very strong feeling in his mind that his only daughter may not have to suffer after his death It is his heart's desire to see Mira married to a proper person, so, that she may be quite happy. But Mira is in love with the suffering millions of her countrymen and she has sufficiently impressed upon the mind of her father that she will be happy only in service to the dumb and downtrodden people.

Narrendra comes to know of Chaudhari's worries about his daughter and he thinks of giving financial help if he can only get back in return the hand of Mira, Strangely enough, this deal comes off well for Mira wanted to make her dying father happy. Soon after, we see Mira entering the forest mansion of Narendra. Here she finds a good companion in a maid servant Manju, but she has also to face an unfriendly Mami. The drama between the husband and wife now swing on the little cunning words of this Mami.

Marni is the self -invited guest at Narendra's place. And she is not alone. She brought with herself the old henpecked husband the boobie-big-boy. Both of them are innocent of Mami's designs of bringing about the estrangement between the husband and the wife. In her new home and strange surroundings, Mira does not leave her mission of life. She goes in the forest to the home of the humble folk and arranges to give them instructions and courage to live. This results in a clash between the wife and the husband. Narendra is not satisfied with a wife who would divide her feelings between the husband and her life work of service to countrymen. He wanted her absolutely for himself and he rebukes her therefore when she pays attention to any other person than himself. Mira does not wish to offend her husband but she cannot let go her elementary rights and duties.

They get a child, too. The father is full of joy at the news and wants to rush up to take the baby in his arms. But the intriguing Mami plans to avoid him and she uses Mira as tool in her game. The husband and wife again fail out and in the heat of excitement Mira leaves the house the husband and the child. In her anxiety to avoid Mama and others who want her to come back. Mira run and falls into a river. They think she is drowned.

This comes as agonising news to the jungle folk who love Mira so much. They become enraged and storm Narendra's house threatening mischief. But Narendra has now come to understand Mira fully since she is gone forever as he thinks. He does not ask his Sardars to lash the whip or fire the gun but he surrenders to the angry mob. These people, too, realise what grief is stored in his heart and they leave him to repent. Narendra goes to the child who is crying for its mother but he is of no use there. The child falls sick and the health deteriorates day after day. Oh, if she could only be found out!

But she is found at last. Rescued by fishermen from a river, she is staying with them in their huts. Drona, one of the jungle folks, finds out Mira and hurries to Narendra with these happy news. Manju comes there to call her back but she is reluctant. She has taken a vow with her hand on her own child that she will never go back.

Now, how did this happen?
Was the wife wayward or stupid?
Was the husband hot-headed or selfish?
Was the background of a poor father responsible for an inferiority complex?
Was Mami so successful in her intrigues that she alone could demolish the peace and harmony of a home?
What follows next see on the screen?

[From the official press booklet]