What Is Aamis About?
The premise of Aamis in 309 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the mist‑shrouded streets of Guwahati, the everyday bustle of tea stalls and university corridors hides a quieter fascination: the ways people relate to the food they eat. The city’s rhythm is punctuated by markets spilling with exotic ingredients, and a subtle current of longing flows beneath its ordinary surface, suggesting that nourishment can be as much about emotion as sustenance.
Sumon is a doctoral candidate whose research delves into the meat‑eating habits of Northeast India. He moves between lecture halls and his modest kitchen, where he experiments with recipes that straddle the line between tradition and curiosity. Across town, Nirmali works as a physician, her professional competence a shield against the quiet ache of a marriage that feels increasingly hollow. Both carry a shared, unspoken hunger for something beyond the predictable patterns of their lives.
Their paths intersect when Nirmali treats a friend of Sumon for a minor ailment. A conversation about flavors quickly turns into a clandestine partnership, as he begins to prepare unusual dishes for her and invites her to hidden eateries that celebrate the region’s rarer fare. Each bite becomes a conduit for conversation, allowing them to explore tastes that are as rare as the feelings they kindle. Their growing rapport is marked by an undercurrent of anticipation, where the simple act of sharing a meal hints at deeper, uncharted territory.
As their culinary journey deepens, the film adopts a deliberate, almost meditative pace, inviting the audience to linger on the textures of food, the silence of unspoken desires, and the subtle shift in their dynamic. The atmosphere is both intimate and unsettling, a study of how curiosity can blur the boundaries between companionship and obsession. In this restrained, atmospheric drama, the ordinary world of Guwahati becomes a backdrop for a provocative exploration of desire, loneliness, and the thin line that separates nourishment from compulsion.
What Happens in Aamis?
The complete story of Aamis, from the first scene to the last, in 308 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Sumon Arghadeep Baruah is a PhD student who researches meat-eating habits of the people of Northeast India and cooks various meat dishes for his friends as a hobby. Nirmali Lima Das is a doctor who feels unsatisfied with her marriage, and she constantly covers up for her friend Jumi, who is having an extramarital affair. Sumon and Nirmali meet when she treats his friend for indigestion, and they form a friendship over an interest in food. Sumon cooks meat dishes for Nirmali and takes her to various eateries as their friendship progresses. Soon, he starts obsessing over her, to the detriment of his studies. Nirmali’s marriage worsens, and she begins spending more time with Sumon, though she does not reciprocate his feelings.
As his obsession gets out of hand, Sumon approaches his friend Elias, Sagar Saurabh the vet, to cut off a part of his flesh, ostensibly for research. In truth, he plans to cook and serve it to Nirmali, as a way to make their bond stronger. Nirmali eats the dish, assuming it to be something else, and enjoys it more than anything she has ever tasted. When Sumon reveals its actual ingredients, Nirmali is disgusted at first, but she soon starts craving human flesh. The relationship gradually becomes twisted, as they begin feeding each other their flesh in turn. Nirmali’s addiction intensifies, and she ends up craving a large portion of human flesh to satiate her hunger. To help her, Sumon kills a rickshaw driver but is caught in the act. The police discover his connection to Nirmali through their texts and apprehend her as well, and their arrest and exposure as cannibals causes a local scandal. At the police station, under the gaze of Inspector Haloi Utkal Hazowary, Sumon and Nirmali hold hands as they are presented in front of the media, their faces covered.
Aamis Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Meeting and first connection through treatment” to “Media spectacle in custody”. 11 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Meeting and first connection through treatment
Sumon, a PhD student researching meat-eating habits, meets Doctor Nirmali when she treats his friend for indigestion. They strike up a conversation about food and flavors, discovering a shared curiosity about meat dishes. What begins as a casual meeting soon hints at a deeper connection rooted in their mutual interest in cuisine.
When:Early phase Where:Hospital
- 2
Culinary friendship grows with meals and outings
Sumon cooks for Nirmali and takes her to various eateries around the city, expanding their food-filled friendship. He begins cooking meat dishes for her on a regular basis, using his research interests as a pretext. The line between professional curiosity and personal fixation starts to blur as they share more meals.
When:Early phase Where:City eateries
- 3
Obsession overtakes studies
Sumon becomes increasingly obsessed with Nirmali, prioritizing meals and outings over his PhD work. Friends notice he neglects his studies while planning more culinary adventures. The fixation foreshadows that his passion could have dangerous consequences.
When:Mid phase Where:University and Sumon's apartment
- 4
Nirmali's marriage strains
Nirmali's marriage deteriorates as she spends more time with Sumon, though she does not reciprocate his feelings. She remains emotionally distant, often shielding her friend Jumi's affair, and the distance grows between her and her husband. The dynamic tightens the emotional hold Sumon is forming.
When:Mid phase Where:Nirmali's home
- 5
A dangerous plan forms
Sumon enlists his friend Elias, a veterinarian, to cut off a part of Elias's flesh under the guise of research. He intends to cook and serve it to Nirmali, hoping to deepen their bond. The plan reveals his willingness to cross ethical boundaries in pursuit of love.
When:Mid-to-late phase Where:Elias's veterinary clinic
- 6
The culinary experiment
Sumon prepares a dish from the flesh and serves it to Nirmali, who eats it thinking it is something ordinary. She experiences a surprising pleasure from the taste, initially confused but increasingly intrigued. The meal marks a turning point as she begins to crave more.
When:Mid-to-late phase Where:Sumon's kitchen
- 7
Truth revealed and craving ignited
Sumon reveals the true ingredients of the dish, triggering Nirmali's initial disgust. Yet the revelation gives way to a powerful craving for human flesh she cannot easily ignore. The couple's relationship shifts from flirtation to a dangerous, shared fixation.
When:Late phase Where:Nirmali's home
- 8
Feeding begins
They begin feeding each other bits of flesh, letting desire and hunger supersede normal boundaries. Their bond deepens into a twisted dependency as they chase the next meal. The cannibalistic acts become a ritual that binds them together.
When:Late phase Where:Homes / secret apartment
- 9
A fatal act to help the craving
Nirmali's addiction intensifies, pushing them toward further extremes. To satisfy her cravings, Sumon kills a rickshaw driver, a crime that starkly exposes their secret. The murder triggers a police investigation that brings their relationship under the harsh light of public scrutiny.
When:Late phase Where:City streets
- 10
Arrest and disgrace
Police connect Sumon and Nirmali through their texts and arrest both of them, causing a local scandal. The revelation shocks the community and highlights the moral horror of cannibalism. The case becomes a media sensation as the suspects are taken into custody.
When:Climax Where:Police station
- 11
Media spectacle in custody
In custody, Sumon and Nirmali hold hands as they are presented to the media, their faces covered. The image leaves a chilling impression of desire stepping over every ethical boundary. The arrest marks the collapse of their relationship and a public reckoning for their actions.
When:Final act Where:Police station / media briefing
Who Are the Main Characters in Aamis?
4 characters, among them Sumon (Suman) (Sumon) — arghadeep-baruah, Nirmali (Momee Borah) and Elias (Sagar Saurabh): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- S(
Sumon (Suman) (Sumon) — arghadeep-baruah
Played by Arghadeep Baruah
Sumon is a PhD student researching meat-eating habits in the Northeast. He forms a bond with Nirmali through their shared love of food, but his feelings quickly become obsessive. He enlists a veterinarian friend to help harvest and prepare human flesh, hoping to deepen their bond. His actions destabilize his studies and invite severe moral and legal consequences.
- 🎓 PhD student
- 🍖 Obsession
- 🧪 Research ethics
- N(
Nirmali (Momee Borah)
Played by Momee Borah
Nirmali is a doctor who feels unsatisfied in her marriage and often covers for a friend’s troubles. She forms a friendship with Sumon over food, which gradually evolves into a dangerous craving for human flesh. At first she resists, then succumbs to the craving, leading to a perilous relationship and eventual public scandal. Her journey explores desire, disillusionment, and the consequences of crossing moral lines.
- 👩⚕️ Doctor
- 💔 Unhappy marriage
- 🍽️ Food lover
- E(
Elias (Sagar Saurabh)
Played by Sagar Saurabh
Elias is a veterinarian and Sumon’s friend who becomes part of the plan to obtain human flesh. He struggles with the ethical implications of their actions and ultimately becomes entangled in the fallout when the scheme is uncovered. His involvement highlights the ease with which curiosity can tip into complicity.
- 🐾 Vet
- ⚖️ Moral dilemma
- 🧪 Ethical boundaries
- IH
Inspector Haloi (Utkal Hazowary)
Played by Utkal Hazowary
Inspector Haloi leads the police investigation into the cannibalism case. He connects Sumon and Nirmali through their communications and oversees the public-facing arrest, bringing the scandal to light. He embodies authority and the social consequences of deviant acts.
- 👮 Police
- 🕵️♂️ Investigation
- ⚖️ Law and order
Where and When Is Aamis Set?
Aamis is set in Northeast India (Contemporary present-day (late 2010s)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary present-day (late 2010s)
The events occur in a modern, real-world timeframe, with characters holding academic, medical, and professional roles typical of today. The narrative relies on present-day social dynamics, urban crime, and media exposure to drive its tension. Although a specific year isn’t named, the technology and institutions reflect a late 2010s milieu.
Where
Northeast India
The story unfolds in the urban landscape of the Northeast region of India, where academic life, medical practice, and bustling street eateries intersect. The setting highlights the region's diverse food culture and everyday city life, which serve as a backdrop for the film's unusual culinary themes. This Northeast locale acts as a microcosm for tradition colliding with modern curiosity and moral ambiguity.
- 🌆 Urban setting
- 🍜 Food culture
- 🏔️ Northeast region
What Are the Themes of Aamis?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Obsession, Cannibalism and Forbidden love.
-
01
Obsession
Sumon’s fixation on Nirmali drives the plot from casual friendship to dangerous fixation. His scholarly curiosity about meat-eating becomes a proxy for a deeper hunger for connection and control, leading him to cross ethical boundaries. As obsession deepens, his academic work falters and his judgment narrows. The theme shows how passion, when unmoored from responsibility, can push people toward drastic actions.
-
02
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is presented as the ultimate taboo that tests the limits of science, hunger, and morality. The plan to extract and cook human flesh unfolds into a shocking sequence that disrupts social norms and exposes the characters to legal danger. The act reframes desire as something dangerous and marketable, triggering a broader social scandal. The narrative uses this taboo to probe how far people will go to sustain a bond.
-
03
Forbidden love
The relationship between Sumon and Nirmali evolves from shared curiosity to a perilous, morally fraught bond. What begins as companionship in food becomes a dangerous dependency that challenges conventional norms and personal ethics. Their connection pushes them toward isolation from friends and family and into a public gaze once their actions are revealed. The theme explores loneliness, longing, and the high cost of pursuing intimate connection at any price.
What Kind of Film Is Aamis?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A deeply unsettling and transgressive exploration of loneliness and desire, this film builds a steady tension around an obsessive relationship that descends into cannibalistic addiction, culminating in public scandal and ruin.
- obsessive
- uncomfortable
- transgressive
- addictive
- lonely
- forbidden
- cannibalism
- forbidden love
- addiction
- obsession
Content notes: cannibalism, self-mutilation, murder.
Quiz
How well do you remember Aamis? Test yourself on the story.
