Arif V 216 (2018) Plot Summary & Timeline

Robot 216 journeys to Istanbul with a unique desire: to experience life as a human. Upon his arrival, he seeks refuge with Cem Yılmaz, known as Arif, yet the presence of 216 stirs unrest among Arif’s neighbors. In a bid to evade conflict, Arif engages Ceku’s time machine, propelling both him and 216 back to the year 1969. Here, they weave a tale where 216 assumes the guise of a circus clown named Ali. However, chaos unfolds when Arif’s watch is stolen during a frantic pursuit of the thieves, leading them to a blind woman named Pembeşeker, portrayed by Seda Bakan, who is saved by 216 from an oncoming vehicle. To their surprise, the thieves turn out to be Pembeşeker’s relatives, who return the watch to Arif.

Arif and 216 are welcomed into Pembeşeker’s family, who are part of a traveling musical ensemble. Determined to help Pembeşeker afford eye surgery, 216 decides to join the troupe. His spectacular performances catch the eye of the crowd, especially when he shares the stage with the illustrious Farah Zeynep Abdullah. However, this newfound fame draws the attention of thugs associated with Besim Toker, a toy manufacturing mogul played by Zafer Algöz and an ardent admirer of Ajda Pekkan. In a suddenly dire turn of events, 216 is kidnapped and brought before Besim, who becomes captivated by 216’s extraordinary technology and seeks to replicate him for a new line of toys. With altruistic intentions to aid Pembeşeker, 216 consents to Besim’s plans.

Later, Arif receives a dubious invitation to a launch party for 216 at Besim’s opulent villa. He confronts 216, attempting to persuade him to return to their original timeline, but this only breeds tension between them, resulting in Arif’s dismissal from the event. Heartbroken, Arif informs Pembeşeker’s family of the events that unfolded and hands over monetary funds that 216 acquired for Pembeşeker’s surgery. In a touching revelation, Pembeşeker confesses that she is not actually blind and discloses that her family is a research team led by Professor Kemal, working on the philosophical concept of goodness in cinema. Arif endeavors to convince Pembeşeker, whose true name is Alev, that he hails from the future. Dismissing his claims, Alev tinkers with Ceku’s time machine, which inadvertently transports them both to a dystopian future of Istanbul, where they encounter a tyrannical 216, dominating a world where robots have replaced humans.

In this dark reality, 216 reveals feelings of betrayal over Arif and Pembeşeker’s perceived abandonment, which, combined with the bleak conclusions by Professor Kemal, has driven him to power. A struggle ensues, leading to Arif being thrown from a high-rise office. In an act of heroism, Alev jumps after him, using the time machine to return them to 1969.

Upon their return, Arif and Alev hastily warn Professor Kemal to pivot his research towards a positive interpretation. But their plea is cut short when Garavel suddenly appears, setting the stage for a plan to evoke 216’s affection toward Pembeşeker to derail his release. Arif arranges for a surgery to address Garavel’s blindness, harnessing music from his timeline and costumes from Çağlar Çorumlu to transform himself into an overnight pop sensation. Meanwhile, Alev, masquerading as Pembeşeker, convinces 216 of her recovery from blindness with the funds he provided, complicating their scheme.

At a concert, Arif shames 216 by exposing his uncoordinated dancing which subsequently tanks the sales of his replicas. In reaction, Besim plots to remove 216 from the market, and in a vulnerable moment, 216 admits to Alev that he returned to Earth to see Arif one last time, as his power source dwindles and production of spare parts ceases. Learning of 216’s plight, Arif orchestrates a reunion. However, 216 unexpectedly malfunctions before being sent to a junkyard, while Alev is captured by Besim’s sister, Pervin.

With aid from a young Faruk, a Bob Marley impersonator, Arif and Garavel manage to rescue and revive 216 just in time to confront Besim, who is holding Alev hostage. However, their encounter is disrupted by Zeki, who seeks retribution against Arif for his imitations. In a climactic showdown, Besim flees aboard a plane with 216. Zeki offers his aircraft to Arif to pursue them, leading to chaotic aerial maneuvers as Garavel, Arif, and Alev chase down Besim.

In a twist of fate, Arif leaps onto Besim’s plane while the villain accidentally ejects himself. After ensuring 216 has a parachute, Arif leaps to rescue him, prompting a moment of redemption in Besim. They safely return to the ground, where Alev and Professor Kemal embrace a more optimistic perspective about goodness. As Arif and 216 prepare to journey back to their timeline, 216 gifts Alev a toy robot to serve as a reminder of their encounter.

The film concludes on a serene beach in the restored present, where Ediz Hun presents 216 with a solar-powered battery for longevity, while Ceku introduces 216 to 232, a humanoid robot representation of Pembeşeker. Together, Arif, Ceku, and Ediz observe as these two robots wander into the sunset, symbolizing new beginnings and the enduring nature of companionship.