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Faraar (1975) Plot Summary & Timeline

Faraar (1975) movie poster

Faraar is a 1975 thriller film directed by Shankar Mukherjee, running 2 hours 16 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 476 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 4 characters and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Faraar.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
4
themes explained
3
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Faraar (1975) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 16m
Genre
Thriller
Original language
Hindi
No spoilers

What Is Faraar About?

The premise of Faraar in 327 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a modest neighborhood where ordinary routines mask deeper undercurrents, a steady middle‑class man lives with his sister and tends to the small comforts of everyday life. His world is built on quiet responsibility, and the simple hope of a better future for those he loves provides the film’s gentle, grounded atmosphere. The city around him hums with the ordinary, yet an unspoken tension hints at how fragile such stability can be.

Rajesh carries himself with a calm determination shaped by duty as much as by affection. He nurtures a tender bond with his sister, whose well‑being fuels his every decision, and he steadies his heart for a young woman he intends to marry once his sister’s future is secure. Their relationship unfolds with a warm practicality that feels both intimate and relatable, establishing a protagonist whose motivations are rooted in love, loyalty, and a steadfast sense of propriety.

When an inexplicable tragedy shatters his family’s peace, Rajesh is forced to confront a world where the law feels distant and ineffective. His quest for justice propels him beyond the confines of his ordinary life, turning him into a fugitive whose every step is shadowed by the pursuit of retribution. In a desperate bid to find leverage, he takes a child hostage, only to discover that the boy is the son of his former lover—now married to Inspector Sanjay, a police officer whose own loyalties are entangled. This revelation adds a personal layer to the chase, deepening the emotional stakes without revealing the outcome.

The film moves with a somber, introspective tone, balancing moments of heartfelt devotion with the stark reality of a man pushed to his limits. Its style is stripped of melodrama, focusing instead on the subtle interplay of duty, grief, and the yearning for redemption. As Rajesh navigates the fraught space between love and law, the audience is left to wonder how far a single individual will go when the world he trusted turns cold.

Full plot

What Happens in Faraar?

The complete story of Faraar, from the first scene to the last, in 476 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Rajesh Amitabh Bachchan is a steady, middle-class man who lives with his sister and cherishes a quiet life. He loves a young woman and hopes to marry her, but he wants to secure a future for his sister first by finding her a good husband. Their bond is warm, practical, and filled with quiet devotion, and Rajesh’s plans reveal a man who believes in duty as much as love. Yet tragedy strikes when his sister is raped and murdered, and the investigation stalls—the police cannot unearth clues. Grief hardens into a resolve: Rajesh vows to avenge her, to hunt down the killer himself, and to make the law work in a world that has failed him.

After tracing the killer, Rajesh kills him, but his victory is hollow and he becomes a fugitive. In a desperate move, he abducts a child as a hostage and seeks refuge in a house, only to discover the child is the son of the woman he once loved—the woman now known as Mala Sharmila Tagore—who is rather unexpectedly married to Inspector Sanjay Sanjeev Kumar. The revelation hurts Rajesh deeply: he is torn between protecting the child and using him to slip away, all while grappling with a past relationship that has evolved into a dangerous new dynamic.

The tale intensifies as Rajesh invades the home to safeguard himself, yet the growing affection for the child complicates his mission. Mala, who has become a focal point in this nocturnal chess game, pleads with Rajesh to surrender and face the consequences in court, but Rajesh has lost faith in the machinery of law and refuses to hand himself over. Inspector Sanjay—who is pursuing him—keeps pressing, but political and personal loyalties blur the line between pursuing justice and breaking it. The pursuit tests Mala, and Sanjay’s suspicions rise as he begins to sense Mala’s connection to Rajesh.

Chaos follows when the child goes missing during the cat-and-mouse sequence. Rajesh, who had fled to another shelter, eventually finds the child again, and a crucial moment arrives: Rajesh, sharing the same blood group as the child, donates blood to save him and leaves a stark message for Sanjay to not suspect Mala, arguing that her sacrifice was meant to protect their child. Sanjay, though torn, feels a growing pity for Rajesh and pushes to bring him out. Yet Rajesh refuses, insisting he has severed all ties with Mala. The tension crescendos when Mala falters, and Rajesh finally steps out, only to be met by gunfire from two police officers. Wounded, he collapses into Sanjay’s arms, delivering a final, understated creed: he sacrificed his life to give others a chance at a better life, even as vengeance demanded a heavy price. The film closes with a somber circle of mourners gathered around Rajesh’s pyre, a stark meditation on love, loyalty, justice, and the costs of revenge.

Timeline

Faraar Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “Rajesh's peaceful middle-class life and love” to “Conclusion at the pyre”. 12 events name a place, across 12 locations.

  1. 1

    Rajesh's peaceful middle-class life and love

    Rajesh leads a simple, comfortable middle-class life and lives with his sister. He is in love with a young woman and hopes to marry her once he secures a suitable husband for his sister. This setup highlights his sense of duty and willingness to sacrifice personal happiness for his family.

    Where:Rajesh's home

  2. 2

    Sister's rape and murder; justice in doubt

    One day, Rajesh's sister is raped and murdered, shattering the family. The police struggle to find any clues, leaving Rajesh to seek justice on his own. The tragedy catalyzes his transformation from lover to avenger.

    Where:City neighborhood

  3. 3

    Vengeance leads to a fugitive life

    Driven by anger and duty, Rajesh traces the killer and confronts him, ultimately killing the attacker. By taking the law into his own hands, he becomes a fugitive from the police. This act marks the beginning of a reckless, solitary pursuit.

    Where:Various city locations

  4. 4

    Abducted child and a shocking revelation

    On the run, Rajesh abducts a child to use as a hostage for protection. He seeks refuge in a house, only to learn the child is the son of his former lover, Asha, who is now Mala and married to Inspector Sanjay. The discovery adds a new layer of personal conflict to his mission.

    Where:Abandoned house

  5. 5

    Moral dilemma and growing affection

    Rajesh faces a grim choice: release the child to secure his escape or use him to force his way out. He uses the child to invade the couple's home, yet the bond with the boy begins to soften his resolve. The line between vengeance and care becomes increasingly blurred.

    Where:The couple's home

  6. 6

    Pursuit intensifies; Mala pleads for surrender

    Inspector Sanjay and Mala intensify their chase, with Mala pleading for Rajesh to hand himself over so he can be tried fairly. Rajesh, having lost faith in the legal system, refuses to submit to arrest. The pursuit tightens as both sides close in.

    Where:Mala's refuge and police operations

  7. 7

    Sanjay uncovers Rajesh-Mala bond

    Sanjay grows suspicious of Mala and learns of the relationship between Rajesh and his former lover, who has changed her name to Mala to hide from scrutiny. The revelation heightens distrust and personal risk for everyone involved. Tensions flare as loyalties are tested.

    Where:Investigation sites

  8. 8

    The child goes missing; a dangerous reunion

    The child vanishes from the house, forcing Rajesh to flee again in search of safety. He tracks the boy down, but an accident disrupts their fragile reunion and raises the stakes for both. The pursuit becomes more perilous as authorities close in.

    Where:Shelters and streets

  9. 9

    Blood bond and a plea for Mala's protection

    In a critical moment, Rajesh learns he shares the same blood group as the child and donates blood to save him. He leaves a message for Sanjay not to suspect Mala, explaining that her actions were to protect her child. This act underscores the contradictory loyalties at play.

    Where:Hospital or blood bank

  10. 10

    Mala collapses; Rajesh reveals himself

    During the intensified pursuit, Mala collapses as Rajesh finally steps out of hiding to confront the world. Rajesh shouts his presence, and two police officers shoot him in the chest. The confrontation marks the fall of the man who chose his own path of justice.

    Where:Hideout and street

  11. 11

    Dying words and a final embrace

    As Rajesh lies dying, he is found by Sanjay, who holds him in his arms. He asks Sanjay not to grieve for him, explaining that his life was given to spare others from suffering through revenge. The moment is heavy with forgiveness and resignation.

    Where:Street/nearby

  12. 12

    Conclusion at the pyre

    The film ends with everyone gathered around Rajesh's pyre, reflecting on the cost of revenge and the complex morality of his choices. The crowd pays tribute to a man who walked a perilous line between love, justice, and sacrifice.

    Where:Pyre site

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Faraar?

4 characters, among them Rajesh (Amitabh Bachchan), Mala (Sharmila Tagore) and Inspector Sanjay (Sanjeev Kumar): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 3 of them link to the actor’s page.

  • Amitabh Bachchan as Rajesh (Amitabh Bachchan) in Faraar

    Rajesh (Amitabh Bachchan)

    Played by Amitabh Bachchan

    A middle-class man who turns vigilante after his sister is raped and murdered, he pursues justice when the legal system falters. His loyalty to family collides with his growing isolation from society, and his decisions pull him toward morally gray territory. He shelters a child and confronts the consequences of living outside the law.

    • 👤 Protagonist
    • ⚖️ Law vs Revenge
    • 🗡️ Sacrifice
  • M(

    Mala (Sharmila Tagore)

    Played by Sharmila Tagore

    Rajesh's former lover who has renamed herself to Mala to avoid detection. She embodies a complex mix of affection and pragmatism—pleading for Rajesh to surrender while risking herself to protect him. Her actions influence the fate of the hostage child and reveal a nuanced loyalty beyond romantic love.

    • 💔 Love and loyalty
    • 🧭 Hidden identity
    • 👮‍♂️ Pursuit of truth
  • IS

    Inspector Sanjay (Sanjeev Kumar)

    Played by Sanjeev Kumar

    A police inspector who relentlessly pursues Rajesh, often clashing with Mala and challenging Rajesh’s motives. His pursuit is tempered by sympathy at times, but he remains a steadfast representative of law and order. His confrontation with Rajesh drives much of the film’s tension.

    • 👮‍♂️ Police pursuit
    • 🔎 Investigation
    • 💔 Conflict with love
  • TC

    The Child

    An innocent hostage whose safety becomes the emotional pivot of the story. The child's presence forces a shift from vengeance to protection and shapes the decisions of both Rajesh and Mala.

    • 👶 Innocence
    • 🏠 Hostage
    • 💔 Family ties
Themes

What Are the Themes of Faraar?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Revenge vs Justice, Love and Loyalty and Sacrifice.

  1. 01

    Revenge vs Justice

    Vengeance drives Rajesh after the murder of his sister, pushing him to act outside the law. The story probes whether personal retribution can replace due process. As Rajesh dodges the police, the tension between moral duty and legal accountability becomes central to the narrative.

  2. 02

    Love and Loyalty

    Mala's presence reveals how love complicates loyalties amid danger and moral ambiguity. Her actions—protecting the child and urging Rajesh to surrender—show a steadfast, if conflicted, devotion. The relationship tests traditional boundaries between lovers and allies.

  3. 03

    Sacrifice

    The climax centers on Rajesh sacrificing his life to safeguard others and offer a chance at a better future for those harmed by his revenge. The pyre scene and his final words frame his act as merciful as well as vengeful. The resolution elevates personal sacrifice above victorious retaliation.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Faraar?

Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Dark
Pacing
Fast
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
High
Ending
Sad

A tense and tragic thriller following a man's descent into vigilantism after a brutal loss, culminating in a desperate hostage situation that forces him to confront his past and ultimately sacrifice himself.

  • grieving
  • vengeful
  • tense
  • melancholic
  • desperate
  • tragic
  • revenge
  • grief and loss
  • vigilante justice
  • fugitive

Content notes: rape, murder, kidnapping, child endangerment.

Quiz

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FAQ

Faraar Plot Questions

4 quick answers about Faraar, taken from the plot summary and character guide on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Faraar about?

In a modest neighborhood where ordinary routines mask deeper undercurrents, a steady middle‑class man lives with his sister and tends to the small comforts of everyday life.

Read the full plot summary

Who are the main characters in Faraar?

The story follows Rajesh (Amitabh Bachchan) (played by Amitabh Bachchan), Mala (Sharmila Tagore) (played by Sharmila Tagore), Inspector Sanjay (Sanjeev Kumar) (played by Sanjeev Kumar) and The Child.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Faraar?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Revenge vs Justice, Love and Loyalty and Sacrifice.

The themes explained

Who directed Faraar?

Faraar (1975) was directed by Shankar Mukherjee and runs 2 hours 16 minutes.

Shankar Mukherjee’s films

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