What Is Ek Villain Returns About?
The premise of Ek Villain Returns in 322 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a city where glamour and grit coexist, a celebrated singer vanishes amid a wave of unsettling events, pulling the lives of two unlikely strangers into a tangled web. Aarvi Malhotra’s disappearance becomes the spark that exposes hidden fractures in a world where fame, ambition, and desperation intersect. The city’s neon‑lit streets and shadowed alleys pulse with a restless energy, hinting at forces both ordinary and unnerving that shape the lives of those who dwell within.
Caught in the ripple is a humble cab driver whose nightly routes make him an unnoticed witness to the city’s darker undercurrents. Bhairav Purohit navigates his own precarious balance between routine and the strange, his perspective offering a grounded yet uneasy view of the unfolding mystery. At the same time, a privileged yet conflicted heir to a powerful business empire finds his inherited expectations suddenly at odds with his personal desires. Gautam Mehra is drawn into a maze of family pressure and public scrutiny, where the line between privilege and peril blurs with each step. Their paths converge under the watchful eye of law enforcement, embodied by a seasoned ex‑CBI officer turned DCP, Aditya Rathore, whose seasoned instincts clash with the analytical mind of his colleague, a criminal‑psychology expert, V.K. Ganesan. Together they grapple with a case that refuses simple answers, forcing them to question their own moral compasses.
The tone of the film is a moody blend of thriller and character study, drenched in atmospheric visuals that juxtapose the glitter of the entertainment world with the grim reality of the city’s underbelly. As the investigation deepens, alliances shift and motives become murkier, leaving each character to confront not only the mystery that surrounds them but also the shadows within themselves. The narrative promises a layered exploration of how ordinary lives can become ensnared in extraordinary darkness, inviting the audience to linger on the unsettling question of who truly holds the line between heroism and culpability.
What Happens in Ek Villain Returns?
The complete story of Ek Villain Returns, from the first scene to the last, in 859 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
A masked intruder barges into an apartment complex, where he attacks and kills a singer named Aarvi Malhotra [Tara Sutaria]. The cops, led by an ex-CBI officer and DCP Aditya Rathore [Shaad Randhawa], begin to piece together clues that suggest a motive deeper than random violence. A seasoned detective, ACP V.K. Ganesan [J. D. Chakravarthi], who has previously studied the notorious psychopath Rakesh Mahadkar [Ritesh Deshmukh], questions the idea that this is a straightforward case and pushes the investigation toward a more intricate pattern. The team notes that the killer seems to target young women with unrequited or complicated relationships, a clue that grows more chilling as the body count rises.
As the investigation unfolds, Gautam Mehra [Arjun Kapoor] surfaces as a central figure. Once a privileged son, he is tangled in a web of personal vendettas and public drama: a raucous scene at Siya’s wedding, a rap derived from Aarvi’s song, and a cascade of choices that seem to spiral out of control. Aarvi’s past is slowly revealed in flashbacks: she confronts the complicated truth about her father Balkrishnan Shastri and the way family ties have shaped her quest to prove herself as a singer. Gautam’s actions—pretending to be in love with Aarvi to drive away a rival, then leaking childhood photos that humiliate her—help seed a rift that fuels their later mutual but fragile feelings. After a tense reconciliation where Aarvi nurses and forgives him, she ultimately walks away, leaving Gautam with a heartbreak that shadows him as the present case deepens.
In the present timeline, Gautam is arrested but manages to escape. Ganesan deduces that Gautam isn’t the killer and the net tightens around Bhairav Purohit [John Abraham], a cab driver who also works as a part-time zookeeper. Bhairav’s past and present collide as the investigation uncovers a disturbing pattern: eighteen young women have been murdered in a similar fashion in the last six months. Rasika Mapuskar [Disha Patani], a mall salesgirl whom Bhairav loves, becomes a pivotal figure in his unraveling—her influence and the possessive, violent impulses she awakens in him push him toward a brutal path. The tension escalates as Bhairav confronts Aarvi’s world, and Gautam fights to protect what may still be salvageable from the wreckage of their earlier relationship.
Past memories return to reveal Bhairav’s psyche in greater depth. A cab driver who doubles as a zoo worker, Bhairav bonds with his widower friend Keshav [Digvijay Rohildas], even as he hides a darker urge beneath a calm exterior. His romance with Rasika Mapuskar [Disha Patani] turns possessive; Rasika’s provocations and her suggestion that she will abandon him fuel Bhairav’s descent. He begins to justify killing girls who do not reciprocate the affection of their boyfriends. On the day Aarvi leaves Gautam, she is unexpectedly in Bhairav’s cab, and Bhairav misreads the situation as another rejection, leading to a violent exertion of control that foreshadows the horror to come. The present chapters reveal that Aarvi’s survival is more than luck: she remains a target within Bhairav’s orbit.
The confrontation intensifies when Gautam learns Bhairav’s address at the zoo and heads there to confront him. In a brutal set of clashes, Ganesan is killed by Bhairav, who also reveals that Aarvi is still alive. Aarvi tries to flee the zoo where she’s kept, but Bhairav corners her and locks her in an underground cage. As Gautam and Bhairav prepare for a deadly duel, the police intervene and detain Bhairav. The investigation reveals a chilling twist: a dead body found in a freezer is not Aarvi, and Yash’s testimony attempts to shield Bhairav by pinning blame on Keshav. Outside the station, Gautam glimpses Bhairav and Rasika sharing an uneasy moment, adding a layer of heartbreak to a case already tangled in lies and desire.
That evening, Bhairav and Rasika return to the zoo to tend to Aarvi’s cage. Aarvi regains consciousness and fights back, stabbing Bhairav with a glass shard. Rasika’s laughter echoes through the chaos as Bhairav closes in on Aarvi. Gautam arrives just in time to intervene, and a vicious fight erupts between the two men. Bhairav lashes out, forcing Gautam to confront the reality of Bhairav’s illness. In a devastating revelation, Gautam exposes that Bhairav has been haunted by schizophrenia, and the romantic ideal of Rasika was a hallucination—an illusion Bhairav conjured around Rasika’s presence. Bhairav recalls Rasika describing how Atul planned to leave his family for her, and in a tragic moment Bhairav accidentally kills Rasika by breaking her back while pleading with her not to leave him. The body recovered from the freezer turns out to be Rasika, a cruel twist Bhairav has preserved for himself. Realizing his grave mistake, Bhairav seeks solace by stepping into the tiger cage, meeting the same fate as his victims. Aarvi and Gautam find a fragile redemption as she returns to the stage, singing for her fans with Gautam’s support.
In a mid-credits scene, at a mental asylum, Rakesh [Ritesh Deshmukh], who survived the accident and is now paraplegic, encounters Bhairav. Rakesh reiterates a promise from the past as Bhairav awakens, his fate once again teetering on the edge of the story’s bleak truth.
Ek Villain Returns Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “The murder of Aarvi Malhotra” to “Mid credits scene with Rakesh and Bhairav”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
The murder of Aarvi Malhotra
A masked intruder barges into an apartment complex and attacks Aarvi Malhotra, the rising singer, killing her. The brutal act triggers a high profile murder investigation. Detectives begin querying witnesses, reviewing footage, and tracing possible motives.
When:Present Where:Apartment complex
- 2
Initial investigation led by Aditya Rathore
Cops led by ex-CBI officer Aditya Rathore begin piecing together the motive. They suspect the attack may be linked to Aarvi's personal life and past relationships. The early focus hints at a killer with a personal grudge.
When:Present Where:City police
- 3
Ganesan doubts the simple explanation
ACP V.K. Ganesan, a criminal psychology expert, questions the straightforward motive. He recalls Aditya's last case with a psychopath and urges caution before naming a culprit. His skepticism foreshadows a more complex killer.
When:Present Where:Police station
- 4
Bhairav Purohit interrogated
Investigators question Bhairav Purohit, the man Aarvi had called on the day of the murder. He denies guilt and offers no solid evidence. The interrogation adds to the mystery as investigators search for patterns.
When:Present Where:Police station
- 5
Ganesan spots a pattern of young victims
Ganesan discovers a disturbing pattern: a string of young women killed by a killer who targets lovers. He notes 18 similar deaths in the past six months, suggesting a serial killer. The case demands a deeper look beyond a single suspect.
When:Present Where:City
- 6
Gautam and Aarvi's past (flashback)
The story flashes back to Gautam's spoiled youth and his ouster from the family business after a wedding incident. Aarvi's ambition grows as she tries to win her father Balkrishnan Shastri's acceptance through singing. Their intertwined past sows seeds of resentment.
When:Past
- 7
Gautam and Aarvi's fragile relationship
Gautam leaks Aarvi's childhood photos and helps her chase a rival, implying revenge for humiliation. Aarvi's attempts to win her father's acceptance collide with his rejection, leaving her heartbroken. Tension grows as their relationship becomes precarious.
When:Past
- 8
Three months later, a near fatal confrontation
Three months after the wedding incident, Gautam is attacked by Siya's husband while Aarvi tends to him. He pleads for a second chance, but Aarvi leaves him with a heavy heart. The emotional distance marks a turning point in their dynamic.
When:Past
- 9
Gautam arrested and escapes
In the present, Gautam is arrested and then manages to escape custody. Ganesan grows suspicious that Gautam might not be the killer after all. The chase resumes as the true culprit remains at large.
When:Present Where:Police custody
- 10
Gautam confronts Bhairav at the zoo
Gautam tracks Bhairav to the zoo and confronts him. The killer remains masked, and Bhairav slips away before the authorities can stop him. The encounter confirms the case will not be solved by conventional clues alone.
When:Present Where:Zoo
Show the other 5 events of Ek Villain Returns Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Bhairav reveals Aarvi is alive; Ganesan is killed
Bhairav confronts the detectives and reveals that Aarvi is alive, keeping her in an underground cage at the zoo. A brutal struggle ends with Ganesan being killed. The investigation tightens as the stakes rise.
When:Present Where:Zoo
- 12
Yash frames Keshav; freezer corpse identified
Police interrogate Yash, who attempts to defend Bhairav by framing Keshav. A dead body is found in a freezer and is initially thought to be Aarvi, but is later identified as Rasika. The zoo becomes the center of a growing web of lies.
When:Present Where:Police station / Zoo
- 13
Aarvi regains consciousness and Gautam arrives
Aarvi regains consciousness and stabs Bhairav with a glass shard. Gautam arrives to rescue her, and the two share a tense moment as the fight escalates. It is revealed that Bhairav has been hallucinating Rasika all along.
When:Evening Where:Zoo
- 14
Bhairav falls to the tiger and Rasika's truth comes out
After the climactic struggle, Bhairav is killed by a tiger in the zoo. Aarvi reunites with Gautam and returns to her concert. It is revealed that Rasika was the victim found in the freezer and Bhairav had killed her in a jealous rage.
When:Evening Where:Zoo / concert venue
- 15
Mid credits scene with Rakesh and Bhairav
In a mid-credits scene, Rakesh, who survived the prequel, meets Bhairav in a mental asylum and recites a promise. Bhairav wakes up, hinting at future consequences for the events that have just unfolded.
When:Mid-credits Where:Mental asylum
Who Are the Main Characters in Ek Villain Returns?
15 characters, among them Bhairav Purohit (John Abraham), Aarvi Malhotra (Tara Sutaria) and Rasika Mapuskar (Disha Patani): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Bhairav Purohit (John Abraham)
Played by John Abraham
A cab driver who also works as a part-time zookeeper, Bhairav hides a brutal killer’s psyche behind a calm exterior. His longing for Rasika slides into dangerous obsession, fueling a spree against girls who reject him. The twist reveals him as the real killer, tormented by a fractured mind and possessive love.
- 🧠 Psychopathy
- 🔪 Serial killer
- 🕳️ Trauma
- AM
Aarvi Malhotra (Tara Sutaria)
Played by Tara Sutaria
A rising singer whose romance with Gautam triggers jealousy and danger. She survives the initial murder and becomes central to unravelling the killer’s motive, while her artistry and resilience anchor the emotional core of the story.
- 🎤 Singer
- 💔 Heartbreak
- 🕊️ Resilience
- RM
Rasika Mapuskar (Disha Patani)
Played by Disha Patani
A mall salesgirl whose manipulation of Bhairav sparks the killings. She becomes the focal point of Bhairav’s fixation, and her eventual murder underscores the dangers of manipulation and betrayal.
- 💔 Manipulation
- 🧠 Mind games
- 🔪 Danger
- GM
Gautam Mehra (Arjun Kapoor)
Played by Arjun Kapoor
A rich, impulsive man whose past actions fuel the present tragedy. He falls for Aarvi, clashes with Bhairav, and pursues the truth, providing a counterpoint to Bhairav’s madness.
- 💘 Romance
- 🕵️ Investigation
- ⚔️ Conflict
- BS
Balkrishnan Shastri (Samir Suhag)
Played by Samir Suhag
A famous singer and Aarvi’s biological father who rejects her, triggering her longing for acceptance. His public persona and familial neglect anchor the story’s emotional stakes around fame, legacy, and forgiveness.
- 🎤 Music
- 👨👧 Family
- 💔 Rejection
- K(
Keshav (Digvijay Rohildas)
Played by Digvijay Rohildas
A widower and Bhairav’s friend who works at the zoo; he has a son, Yash. His loyalty is tested as the investigation unfolds and he becomes entangled in the killer’s web.
- 👨👧 Fatherhood
- 🦁 Zoo
- 🕊️ Loyalty
- A(
Atul (Niranjan Namjoshi)
Played by Niranjan Namjoshi
Rasika’s married manager whose scheming and infidelity contribute to the crime web, fueling Rasika’s desperation and the narrative’s tension.
- 💼 Power
- 💔 Infidelity
- 🔍 Betrayal
- S(
Siya (Karishma Sharma)
Played by Karishma Sharma
Siya is Aarvi’s rival in social circles who becomes a flashpoint during a wedding scene, illustrating jealousy and social dynamics that frame the killer’s environment.
- 💍 Jealousy
- 🎭 Drama
- 👩💼 Social stakes
- RM
Rakesh Mahadkar (Ritesh Deshmukh)
Played by Ritesh Deshmukh
A survivor of a previous major case who appears in a mid-credits scene, linking the film to its prequel’s psychological haunt and underscoring the persistent threat of violent crime.
- 🧠 Psychology
- 🕵️ Past
- 💥 Threat
- AV
ACP V.K. Ganesan (J. D. Chakravarthi)
Played by J. D. Chakravarthi
A criminal psychology expert who leads the investigation, analyzing patterns and challenging the assumption that the crime is straightforward.
- 🕵️ Police
- 🧠 Investigation
- 🧩 Pattern
- AR
Aditya Rathore (Shaad Randhawa)
Played by Shaad Randhawa
An ex-CBI officer turned DCP who heads the pursuit, balancing procedural rigor with the psychological twists of the case.
- ⚖️ Law
- 🧭 Leadership
- 🔎 Investigation
- Q(
Qiran (Elena Roxana Maria Fernandes)
Played by Elena Roxana Maria Fernandes
Aarvi’s biological mother figure connected to the past through an extramarital affair with a famous singer, shaping Aarvi’s life and ambitions.
- 👩👧 Family
- 💔 Past
- 🕰️ Legacy
- DM
Divesh Mehra (Bharat Dabholkar)
Played by Bharat Dabholkar
A powerful businessman linked to Gautam’s family dynamics, whose presence adds tension to the questions of inheritance and authority.
- 💼 Family
- 🧬 Legacy
- 💥 Tension
- T(
Thapar (Ivan Rodrigues)
Played by Ivan Rodrigues
A police figure who supports the investigation and helps drive the procedural aspects of the case.
- 🕵️♂️ Detective
- 🧭 Puzzle
- UC
Unknown Caller (Shraddha Kapoor)
Played by Shraddha Kapoor
A mysterious caller who reaches out to Aarvi around the time of the murder, contributing to the suspense and suspect leads.
- 📞 Mystery
- 🔎 Clue
Where and When Is Ek Villain Returns Set?
Ek Villain Returns is set in Apartment complex, Zoo and Mall (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
Set in contemporary urban India, the narrative shifts between the investigation and flashbacks that reveal past relationships and motives. The modern setting drives police work and media involvement as clues unfold. The juxtaposition of everyday spaces with a killer's psyche creates a tense, current thriller atmosphere.
Where
Apartment complex, Zoo, Mall
An urban apartment complex serves as the initial crime scene where Aarvi is attacked, triggering the police investigation. The story expands to Bhairav's zoo workplace, which doubles as a sinister hideout, and to a mall where Rasika works, illustrating ordinary spaces harboring danger. These settings juxtapose intimate relationships with a city-wide mystery.
- 🏢 Urban setting
- 🐾 Zoo
- 🛍️ Mall
What Are the Themes of Ek Villain Returns?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love and Obsession, Psychological Duality and Consequences and Retribution.
-
01
Love and Obsession
Two love stories—Gautam and Aarvi, Bhairav and Rasika—become entangled with manipulation and revenge. The pursuit of love pushes characters toward impulsive acts and violence. The film explores how affection can morph into controlling obsession that destroys lives.
-
02
Psychological Duality
Bhairav's schizophrenia and Rasika's manipulation blur what is real, turning trust into danger. The investigation is misled by red herrings as motives unfold in a tangled web. The twist reveals how perception shapes justice and the fragility of the human mind.
-
03
Consequences and Retribution
Choices ripple through families and careers, leaving scars on Aarvi, Gautam, and their circles. The killings become a reckoning for pride, betrayal, and neglect, culminating in a fatal confrontation. The ending underscores the moral toll and the price of vengeance.
What Kind of Film Is Ek Villain Returns?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and brutal psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a serial killer, creating a darkly oppressive atmosphere where romantic obsession fuels violence and the line between hero and villain is blurred.
- tense
- dark
- brutal
- oppressive
- disturbing
- unsettling
- serial killer
- psychological thriller
- crime investigation
- obsessive love
Content notes: serial killer violence, murder, psychological horror, stalking, confinement.
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Where to Watch Ek Villain Returns
Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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