During the early hours of March 20 morning, the four convicts of the heinous Nirbhaya rape case were finally hanged after seven years into the incident. The parents of the 23-year-old physiotherapy intern Jyoti Singh, after running from pillar to post seeking justice for their late daughter can now sleep peacefully. Rape, although was existing prior to this incident came into limelight, it was never addressed or spoken about in the open like it is done today.

Not just did Nirbhaya’s gut-wrenching gangrape began a conversation in the public, but it also shook the cine industry and enabled them to spread awareness through films. However, much before 2012, a couple of filmmakers touched upon the crime in a hard-hitting way. So, as we celebrate Nirbhaya Nyay Divas as said by her father Badrinath Singh in a statement, let’s take a look at films that addressed the horror of rape with utmost sensitivity and care.

Delhi Crime (2019) 

Loosely based on the heinous and gruesome Nirbhaya rape and murder case, this Shefali Shah’s Netflix show Delhi Crime is nothing but pure gold and holds true to its facts, keeping the baggage aside. Neither showcasing any side wrong or right, the makers have tackled a complex story with efficiency and does the wonders. Tight, grippy and all things real, Delhi Crime should be watched to celebrate today’s victory.

Mom (2017)

Legendary female superstar Sridevi’s last film, Mom was a heartfelt take on how the rape of a daughter makes an indelible impact on the entire family. The film showcases the battle of Devki, a vigilante who leaves no stone unturned to punish the wrongdoers of her step-daughter Arya (Sajal Ali). A smart thriller with an emotional backdrop, Mom gives out a strong message that for a mother, seeking justice for her daughter is of utmost importance, just like the way Asha Devi did for Nirbhaya.

Guilty (2020)

Starring Kiara Advani, Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, Gurfateh Pirzada and Taher Shabbir in the central roles, Karan Johar produced web film Guilty can be counted as a masterpiece when it comes to addressing a poignant topic like rape effectively. Revolving around the tale of four college students who find themselves in troubled waters after a small-town girl alleges rape against one of them named Vijay Pratap Singh aka VJ. His girlfriend, along with a lawyer, takes it upon herself to find out who is ‘guilty’. An engaging story packed with hard-hitting great content, Guilty can’t be missed.

Maatr (2017)

Before Sridevi’s Mom, Raveena Tandon starred in a similar tale wherein a mother avenges her daughter’s rape. The film is about Vidya (Raveena) who is gang-raped with her daughter Tia. As a result of the assault, Tia succumbs to the injuries, leaving her mother furious to take revenge against the evil-doers. Heavy on emotional content, Maatr conveys the message without losing track.

Pink (2016)

‘No Means No’. Taapsee Pannu, Amitabh Bachchan, Kirti Kulhari, Andrea Tariang, Angad Bedi and others, Pink was a revolutionary film in itself. Straight-forward, the Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury shattered the glass ceiling. Pink orbited around Minal and her two friends who are raped by influential men, including the nephew of a politician. The girls approach Deepak, a retired lawyer, who helps them fight their battle. Packed with meaningful and memorable dialogues, Pink is a film that completes Bollywood.

Mardaani 2 (2019)

In the second edition of Mardaani, Rani Mukerji as Shivani Shivaji Roy tackled the social evil of rape. An engaging cat and mouse chase, Mardaani 2 reiterates the fact that cops won’t leave any stone unturned to locate shrewd criminals. A smart film that also promotes women empowerment, Mardaani 2 is hard-hitting, real and original.

Damini (1993)

Remember the dialogue, Tarikh Pe Tarikh? Well, it won’t be wrong to say that it is the bitter truth of society. Starring Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, Rishi Kapoor and Meenakshi Seshadri, Damini touched upon the topic of rape when it wasn’t much spoken in the public. Revolving around Damini who witnesses sexual assault of her househelp by her brother-in-law and his friends. After conquering odd obstacles, she seeks justice for her with the help of her husband and a lawyer. An important film with a touch of melodrama, Damini is a brilliant watch.

Devi (2020)

Kajol, Shruti Haasan, Neha Dhupia, Neena Kulkarni, Mukta Barve, Sandhya Mhatre, Rama Joshi, Shivani Raghuvanshi and Yashaswini Dayama collaborated for a real and hard-hitting tale of nine oppressed women who are rape victims. Addressing rape and sexual harassment against women, Devi is a perfect balance of empowerment and emotions. It is relevant, layered and surely a masterpiece that deserves attention.