The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has released a newly restored 4K version of "Fear" (1965), a lesser-known short film directed by legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak. Now available on FTII's official YouTube channel, this restoration offers cinephiles and students a rare look into Ghatak's haunting early work.

Originally conceived as a training project for acting students, "Fear" features performances by Subhash Ghai, Sudha Rani, Urvashi Dutta, Govardhan Sharma, and Asrani — all of whom later became significant names in Indian cinema.

Shot in Hindi, "Fear" paints a chilling picture of existential dread: as news breaks of an imminent hydrogen bomb attack, a diverse group of people are rushed into an experimental shelter. Yet, even with extinction staring them in the face, their ingrained divisions, biases, and behavioural patterns remain intact. Thematically, it's a searing reflection of Ghatak's larger body of work, which often grappled with societal decay and the fragility of the human spirit.

The film's technical brilliance shines through, thanks to Lall Jaswaney (photography), UC Sinha (sound), and VV Revankar (editing), who build a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere that deepens the emotional weight of the story.

During his brief but influential tenure at FTII, Ghatak shaped a generation of filmmakers who would go on to redefine Indian cinema. His students included celebrated directors such as Kumar Shahani, Mani Kaul, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Saeed Akhtar Mirza, and John Abraham.

Ghatak's contributions to cinema earned him both national and international acclaim. In 1970, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to the arts. His film "Jukti Takko Aar Gappo" (Reason, Debate and a Story) won the Rajat Kamal for Best Story at the 1974 National Film Awards, cementing his place as one of the most brilliant and uncompromising voices in Indian cinema.

The restoration of "Fear" falls under FTII's larger initiative to safeguard and showcase the creative legacy of its alumni. Through the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), FTII has been digitising and sharing restored versions of student films on its YouTube platform. 

This project has unearthed rare early works featuring talents like Irrfan Khan, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Rajkumar Hirani, offering a fascinating glimpse into the roots of India's cinematic giants.

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