Anarkali 2015

Shanthanu arrives in Kavaratti to work as a diving instructor

Former navy officer Shanthanu Varma arrives in Kavaratti to take up a deep-diving instructor role. He checks in with the coastal police and meets Atta Koya, who was awaiting his arrival. This setup introduces his new assignment and the people he will interact with in Lakshadweep.

Dheeraj Iyengar's fake documents and Gemini drill

During the check-in, Dheeraj Iyengar is found to have fake documents. He escapes by jumping into the ocean, and Shanthanu dives after him to catch him. The chase turns out to be part of a planned mock drill called Gemini, conducted twice a year. Shanthanu ends up befriending Dheeraj.

Zachariah, the lighthouse keeper, and past tensions

Shanthanu seeks out his friend Zachariah, the lighthouse operator, who hides due to past issues between them. He eventually finds him and learns about unresolved guilt and misunderstandings. This meeting frames the present quest against a backdrop of old wounds.

Shanthanu's longing for Nadira Imam

Shanthanu reveals his long-standing longing for Nadira Imam, whom he loved eleven years earlier. The relationship is complicated by Nadira being a minor at the time and Shanthanu's Navy career. The past continues to haunt his present decisions.

Nadira at the Navy Fest (2004)

At the Navy Fest in 2004, Nadira captivates Shanthanu with a dance while his melody performance earns her attention. A power cut interferes, and Zachariah stirs trouble, leading to both Shanthanu and Zachariah receiving red marks on their academic records. The event seeds rumors about their relationship.

Nadira's affection and the start of their romance

Despite rumors, Nadira falls for Shanthanu, forcing him to confess as part of a prank. They begin a romance under the eyes of their peers, complicating Shanthanu's standing in the Navy. The bond deepens despite the social constraints around them.

A kiss, a confrontation, and a court summons

Shanthanu and Nadira kiss after a swim, and Jaffer Imam witnesses the moment, leading to a brutal beating of Shanthanu. Nadira insists that she loves him, while court proceedings begin the next day. The couple faces charges tied to their relationship.

Nadira's revelation and Navy expulsion

At the hearing, Nadira admits their relationship to officials, revealing she loved Shanthanu. The two are dismissed from the Navy as a consequence. Nadira promises to wait five years to confess again, effectively ending their immediate ability to be together.

Present-day twist: Dheeraj revealed as Naseeb Imam

Back in the present, Shanthanu learns that the mysterious Dheeraj is actually Naseeb Imam, Nadira's brother, which shifts the stakes of his search. Kavaratti residents react with mixed emotions as family ties surface. The revelation links Nadira's past to the current pursuit.

Naseeb returns with Nadira's status

Naseeb returns to tell Shanthanu that Nadira is still waiting for him but left home after constant fights with her father. This news renews Shanthanu's determination to reach her. The search now has a clear personal motive tied to Nadira's well-being.

The emergency-escape plan using the helicopter

To reach Nadira quickly, Shanthanu and Zachariah hatch a plan to fake a medical emergency so they can use the helicopter, which is otherwise reserved for emergencies. They need Dr. Sherin Mathew's go-ahead from the Kavaratti hospital. The ruse begins to unfold in the present timeline.

Journey to Kochi and the real emergency unfolds

Shanthanu, Zachariah, and Naseeb travel to Kochi with the assumption of real medical need; along the way Shanthanu begins vomiting blood, confirming the danger is real. Zachariah pushes the pilot to accelerate to reach medical care faster. The trio faces an urgent, high-stakes voyage.

Nadira waiting in Kochi and ICU reunion

In a half-conscious state, Shanthanu reaches Kochi and finds Nadira waiting outside the ICU, already alerted by Naseeb. Relatives including Nadira and Jaffer gather as doctors say he will be fine. The family presence frames a tense but hopeful reunion.