What Is Aborto About?
The premise of Aborto in 285 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling corporate landscape of modern Kolkata, the film paints a world where glass‑tower ambitions clash with the quiet rhythms of a modest hometown. The city’s sleek offices and relentless pace serve as a backdrop for a story that probes the subtle erosion of intimacy when professional success becomes the dominant compass. A muted, contemplative tone underlies the narrative, inviting viewers to feel the weight of each aspirational step against the lingering pull of home and heritage.
Shyamal Sen is a rising sales executive who has already carved out a commanding presence in his multinational firm. Born into a middle‑class family in Sonarpur, he carries the restless drive to prove himself beyond the boundaries of his upbringing, even as he navigates a fraught relationship with his elder brother, whose quiet brilliance once cast a long shadow over his own self‑image. Married to Charu, a partner whose affection is rooted in the simple comforts of their shared past, Shyamal’s relentless pursuit of a coveted promotion begins to strain the bond that once tethered them, pulling the couple between the magnetic lure of high‑rise ambition and the grounding pull of their origins.
Around them, the corporate arena teems with equally determined figures, most notably Ranadip, a colleague locked in a parallel race for leadership, and a circle of acquaintances whose own aspirations intersect with Shyamal’s. Their interactions hint at the delicate balance of loyalty, desire, and the quiet sacrifices demanded by a world that rarely pauses for sentiment. As the story unfolds, the audience is asked to consider how far one can climb before the very heights they seek become an isolating altitude, and whether the echoes of home can ever truly be silenced by ambition.
What Happens in Aborto?
The complete story of Aborto, from the first scene to the last, in 483 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Shyamal Sen, Tota Roy Chowdhury, is a high-ranking GM in sales at a multinational company, locked in a tense race for the Vice President post with Runu Sanyal, Saswata Chatterjee. He hails from a middle-class family in Sonarpur and grew up with his elder brother, played by Kaushik Ganguly. He is married to Charu, Jaya Ahsan. From early on, Shyamal has carried a stubborn strain of jealousy toward his elder brother, feeling that he received all the attention and seemed more capable. A memory from childhood—shown in the film’s opening credits—shows him burning his brother’s certificates in a moment of rage, a symbol of a past he never fully leaves behind.
When Charu conceives, Shyamal persuades her to consider abortion, arguing that his training in London cannot be jeopardized and that his career must come first. This plea marks the beginning of a growing emotional distance as he pursues prestige and power. He relocates to a stylish apartment in Kolkata, leaving behind the ancestral home in Sonarpur, and the couple gradually acclimates to a glittering city life. Yet Charu longs for the simpler rhythms of their old life, a tension that shadows their marriage as the years pass.
The plot heats up in the boardroom as Runu Sanyal and Shyamal clash over a pivotal brand deal. Runu attempts to sign Hari Bose, played by Abir Chatterjee, as the company’s brand ambassador, hoping this move will tilt the power balance in his favor. Shyamal fights for a win on his side, certain that the deal could push him closer to the VP chair. Meanwhile, Charu meets Hari Bose at the club, and Hari is drawn to her, leading to a personal exchange that unfolds on Charu’s birthday and complicates the corporate calculus. The rivalry grows dirtier when Runu uncovers that Shyamal has slept with his Assistant Duli Mitra, Reshmi Ghosh, during a business trip, forcing Shyamal to confront a web of professional and personal jeopardy.
Unable to face the fallout, Shyamal retreats to his ancestral home in Sonarpur and finds solace in the steady support of his elder brother’s memory and glimpses of the loyalty that once defined his family. Charu, meanwhile, presses Hari Bose to withdraw from the deal, arguing that Runu has arranged a portion of Hari’s remuneration for himself in return for the partnership, a revelation that exposes the tangled motives behind the negotiations and shakes the confidence of everyone involved.
Ultimately, the company’s Chairman names Shyamal as the new Vice President, a decision that reframes the entire rivalry and the couple’s future. The news arrives with the aid of Duli, who delivers the official letter to Shyamal’s residence, sealing the shift in power within the organization. The film closes on a note of personal transformation: Shyamal, now a changed man, returns to his wife, and Charu welcomes the newly appointed VP home with a blend of relief and wary hope.
Aborto Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Childhood jealousy and the burning of his brother's certificates” to “Ending: Shyamal returns changed; Charu welcomes him home”. 11 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Childhood jealousy and the burning of his brother's certificates
Opening credits reveal a young Shyamal burning his elder brother's certificates, a symbolic act that marks a lifelong thread of jealousy. This act foreshadows the competitive drive that will define his career. It sets up the emotional distance from his brother that persists into adulthood.
When:Opening credits (Childhood) Where:Sonarpur, childhood home
- 2
Premature abortion discussion to protect career
Shyamal persuades Charu to consider abortion when she conceives, arguing that his London training and career must come first. He frames the personal choice as a sacrifice for professional growth. This moment seeds an emotional distance between them that deepens over the years.
When:Early marriage Where:Their home
- 3
Relocation to Kolkata
Shyamal relocates to a stylish apartment in Kolkata, leaving behind the ancestral home in Sonarpur. The couple begins to adapt to a glittering city life, even as Charu longs for their old rhythms.
When:After relocation Where:Kolkata
- 4
Charu's longing for the old life
Charu yearns for the simpler rhythms of their old life and questions the costs of Shyamal's ambition. The tension between romance and career grows as years pass, casting a shadow over their marriage.
When:Post-relocation years Where:Kolkata apartment
- 5
Brand deal showdown in the boardroom
In a pivotal boardroom clash, Runu presses to sign Hari Bose as the brand ambassador, hoping to tilt power in his favor. Shyamal fights for the deal on his side, convinced it could propel him toward the VP chair. The battle blends corporate strategy with personal ambition.
When:Boardroom meeting Where:Boardroom
- 6
Charu meets Hari Bose at the club on her birthday
Charu encounters Hari Bose at the club, and Hari is drawn to her. A personal exchange unfolds on Charu’s birthday, complicating the corporate calculus. The moment threads personal vulnerability into the negotiating tension.
When:Charu's birthday Where:Club
- 7
Runu uncovers Shyamal's affair
Runu discovers that Shyamal has slept with his assistant Duli Mitra during a business trip, bringing professional jeopardy and personal betrayal to light. The revelation intensifies the already dirty rivalry between the two men. Shyamal must confront the consequences of his actions.
When:Revelation Where:Business trip
- 8
Shyamal retreats to Sonarpur
Unable to face the fallout, Shyamal retreats to his ancestral home in Sonarpur and seeks solace in memories of his elder brother. The quiet return becomes a turning point as loyalty surfaces and old wounds resurface. The retreat hints at a possible transformation ahead.
When:Following the affair revelation Where:Ancestral home, Sonarpur
- 9
Charu pushes Hari Bose to withdraw; motives exposed
Charu presses Hari Bose to withdraw from the deal, accusing Runu of manipulating remuneration arrangements. The tension exposes the tangled motives behind the negotiations and shakes the confidence of everyone involved. The corporate veil begins to lift as true loyalties are laid bare.
When:During ongoing negotiations Where:Negotiation setting
- 10
Chairman appoints Shyamal as VP; letter delivered
The Chairman announces Shyamal as the new Vice President, a decision that reframes the rivalry and the couple’s future. Duli Mitra delivers the official letter to Shyamal’s residence, sealing the power shift. The personal and professional worlds collide in a single, decisive moment.
When:Announcement day Where:Residence
- 11
Ending: Shyamal returns changed; Charu welcomes him home
Shyamal returns to his wife as a changed man, and Charu welcomes him home with a blend of relief and wary hope. The reconciliation marks a shift in their relationship alongside his new role. The glittering city seems to fade slightly as they reassess their future together.
When:Ending Where:Home
Who Are the Main Characters in Aborto?
7 characters, among them Shyamal Sen (Tota Roy Chowdhury), Runu Sanyal (Saswata Chatterjee) and Charu Sen (Jaya Ahsan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- SS
Shyamal Sen (Tota Roy Chowdhury)
Played by Tota Roy Chowdhury
A high-ranking GM in sales driven by career ambition and a stubborn jealousy of his elder brother. He relocates to Kolkata, chasing prestige, but his personal life grows increasingly strained as he navigates a brutal power struggle. The climax reframes his identity as he is named Vice President, followed by a tentative return to his wife Charu.
- 🎯 Ambitious
- 🧭 Family-loyal
- 💼 Corporate
- 😡 Jealous
- RS
Runu Sanyal (Saswata Chatterjee)
Played by Saswata Chatterjee
Shyamal's rival in the race for power, a shrewd and calculating player who uses every advantage to tilt the balance in his favor. He pushes for Hari Bose as a brand ambassador while probing for weaknesses in Shyamal's position. When the affair with Duli is uncovered, Runu's schemes are exposed and his own power starts to crumble.
- 🏁 Rivalry
- 💼 Corporate politics
- 🧭 Calculated
- CS
Charu Sen (Jaya Ahsan)
Played by Jaya Ahsan
Shyamal's wife, who longs for the simpler rhythms of their past life. She bears the strain of living in a glittering city while feeling emotionally distant from her husband. Her relationships—both with Shyamal and Hari Bose—complicate the couple's dynamics and bring into focus the costs of ambition.
- 💑 Marriage
- 🕊 Emotional conflict
- 🧭 Loyalty
- HB
Hari Bose (Abir Chatterjee)
Played by Abir Chatterjee
A charismatic brand ambassador who becomes entangled in the personal and professional scheming surrounding Shyamal and Charu. Hari's presence at Charu's birthday and his suspected involvement in remuneration deals intensify the power play in the boardroom. His loyalties are tested as motives blur.
- 🎖️ Influence
- 🕴️ Brand
- 💼 Corporate
- DM
Duli Mitra (Reshmi Ghosh)
Played by Reshmi Ghosh
Shyamal's assistant whose affair with him becomes a critical leverage point in the corporate intrigue. She delivers the official VP appointment letter, becoming a key catalyst for the story's turning points. Her actions illuminate the personal costs embedded in the company's high-stakes maneuvering.
- 💬 Scandal
- 🧭 Loyalty
- 🕵️♀️ Access
- SC
Shyamalendu Chatterjee (Barun Chanda)
Played by Barun Chanda
An elder family figure whose relationship with Shyamal shapes the latter's sense of lineage and duty. The elder presence serves as a counterpoint to Shyamal's relentless ambition, highlighting the tension between family expectations and personal ascent.
- 👨👦 Family
- 🧭 Tradition
- 🕰 Memory
- EB
Elder Brother (Kaushik Ganguly)
Played by Kaushik Ganguly
Shyamal's older brother whose achievements loom large in Shyamal's psyche. The memory of the brother's success fuels the protagonist's competitiveness and fear of losing status.
- 🧠 Memory
- 🏢 Brotherly rivalry
- 🕊 Family
Where and When Is Aborto Set?
Aborto is set in Sonarpur and Kolkata. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Sonarpur, Kolkata
Sonarpur, a modest suburb of Kolkata, anchors Shyamal's origins. The film also paints Kolkata's glittering corporate skyline as the setting for his ascent to higher management. The ancestral home in Sonarpur serves as a recurring touchstone amid his glamorous city life. The contrast between the two places highlights the tension between family loyalty and career ambition.
- 🏡 Suburban Sonarpur
- 🏙 Kolkata city
- 👪 Family roots
What Are the Themes of Aborto?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power, Betrayal and Marriage.
-
01
Power
A high-stakes race for the Vice President post drives the plot, with Shyamal and Runu manipulating deals, alliances, and perceptions. The corporate boardroom becomes a battlefield where prestige, leverage, and reputation determine who gains influence. The Chairman's final decision reframes the entire power dynamic, revealing how ambition tests loyalty and ethics.
-
02
Betrayal
The web of personal and professional betrayals tightens as affairs and cover stories collide with boardroom deals. Accusations surface when Runu uncovers Shyamal's affair with Duli, threatening both careers and marriages. Trust unravels as hidden motives come to light, forcing characters to confront the costs of ambition.
-
03
Marriage
Charu's longing for their old life contrasts with Shyamal's career-obsessed ascent, creating persistent strain in their marriage. The personal risk of pursuing power is weighed against love, loyalty, and the desire for stability. Charu's interactions with Hari Bose heighten the emotional stakes and test marital commitment.
-
04
Memory
A childhood memory of a governing elder brother shapes Shyamal's perpetual rivalry and insecurity. The memory of past outcomes lingers, fueling a drive to prove himself and protect his reputation. The ancestral home in Sonarpur and the elder brother's memory serve as emotional anchors throughout the narrative.
What Kind of Film Is Aborto?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and emotionally fraught drama that charts the corrosive effects of ambition on a marriage, set against a high-stakes corporate rivalry, culminating in a bittersweet victory that comes at a significant personal cost.
- tense
- melancholic
- anxious
- driven
- isolated
- competitive
- ambition vs family
- career rivalry
- martial strain
- emotional distance
Content notes: abortion.
Quiz
How well do you remember Aborto? Test yourself on the story.
