Aby 2017

Aby dreams of flying from childhood, routinely leaping from elevated spots in a hopeful quest to defy gravity, often leaving him battered and bruised. He communicates little and attends a special-needs school, where his quiet presence masks a keen curiosity about machines and the workings of the world around him. His father, George R S, works as a policy agent and soon starts leveraging Aby’s condition to spark sentimental responses from potential customers, hoping to seal more policy signings. This manipulation is discovered by Aby’s mother, and a fierce quarrel erupts between the parents; the conflict culminates in tragedy as Aby’s mother dies the morning after the fallout, leaving the boy with a hollow ache and a new, stubborn resolve.

Years pass, and Aby grows into a teenager who handles metal and circuitry with astonishing ease. He works at a mechanical workshop and emerges as a prodigy in electronics, while his father’s struggle with alcoholism drains the family’s finances. The neighbor and his love interest, Anumol, still goes to school alongside the neighborhood’s youth, including Kunjootan. Anumol enlists Aby to help with a science project for a competition, and their collaboration earns them widespread recognition; Anumol is rewarded for her ingenuity while Aby’s contribution shines just as brightly. Yet the moment of triumph is soured when Aby’s father barges in, demanding the prize money, igniting a bitter feud with their neighbors. The alcohol-fueled chaos only worsens, culminating in a flare-up where Aby’s father torches a mockup helicopter Aby had built from an auto-rickshaw. Crushed by disappointment and anger, Aby abandons his hometown.

In Bangalore, Aby finds a new current of hope among salvage workers. He repairs a broken phone, devises a prank mechanism to outsmart a troublesome neighbor, and forges friendships within the scrap-yard circle. The discovery of a discarded toy aeroplane becomes a turning point when Aby meets G. K. Menon, an alcoholic aeroplane manufacturer who immediately recognises Aby’s talent and passion. Menon believers in Aby’s potential and teaches him rudimentary flight concepts, encouraging him to dream bigger. When a chance arises to build a light aircraft, Aby joins Menon on a new project, recording their conversations to absorb as much knowledge as possible in his spare moments. The aircraft takes shape, and for a time Aby feels closer to the sky than ever before. He ultimately climbs into the craft, but the moment he attempts to fly it, the plane falters and crashes. The setback infuriates Menon, who dismisses Aby and tells him to leave, sending him back to his hometown with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, Aby has returned with renewed purpose. Anumol has stayed by his side, helping the village widen its horizons, while Aby collects materials and spends three years building a glider that could change his life. The glider begins to attract attention beyond the village, drawing media coverage and interest from people far away. Anumol’s father reacts with hostility, but his stance begins to shift as he witnesses Aby’s dedication. Menon appears again, recognizing the craft and vouching for Aby’s skill, praising the glider as one of the most efficient designs he has seen in his career. Yet the path to flight remains blocked by red tape and doubt. Anumol pleads with her father to let Aby pursue his dream, and, against his initial misgivings, he begins to reconsider his stance.

With the paperwork finally in order and legal clearance secured, Aby’s glider stands ready for a debut flight. A new obstacle emerges when a tip reaches authorities claiming Aby’s disability makes the flight illegal because no certified pilot will operate the craft. Anumol’s father confesses to tipping off the authorities, while Menon vouches for Aby’s mental fitness and capability. A heated confrontation erupts among onlookers and officials, during which Aby seizes the moment and makes his glide a reality—guided by Menon’s instructions—while the crowd watches in astonished awe. The successful flight quiets the doubters, quiets the noise, and fills the town with pride at Aby’s achievement.

Today, Aby stands as an accomplished glider pilot. His talent earns him a place with Air Asia in Dubai, and the film closes as he soars the skies in his own glider, a quiet triumph born from years of perseverance and a community that refused to give up on his dream.