Directed by

Abhishek Chaubey
Made by

Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures
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Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Ishqiya (2010). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
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Ishqiya opens with Vidyadhar Verma trying to persuade his wife, Krishna Verma, to convince her husband to surrender to authorities. Tragically, he agrees but soon dies in a gas explosion, setting off a chain of events. Two small-time criminals, Khalujaan, played by Naseeruddin Shah, and Babban Hussain, portrayed by Arshad Warsi, steal a sum of Rs 20 Lakhs and manage to escape from their boss, Mushtaq (Salman Shahid), who is based in Lucknow and is determined to recover his money. Khalujaan considers killing Mushtaq but refrains, fearing it would destroy his own sister’s household, and they head towards Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh seeking refuge.
Their plan hits a snag when they discover that Vidyadhar Verma is no longer alive, prompting them to seek shelter with his widow, Krishna. She is an attractive woman who tries to seduce both men — Khalujaan is captivated by her gentle voice and songs, while Babban is only interested in lust. Meanwhile, Khalujaan secretly hides the stolen money in Krishna’s attic. Babban befriends a young boy named Nandu (Alok Kumar), who is knowledgeable about guns and offers to repair Babban’s Tamancha rifle within minutes, demonstrating his impressive skills.
Soon, Mushtaq locates them, capturing and torturing the duo to force them to return the stolen cash. When they attempt to retrieve the money, they find it missing, raising suspicion of Krishna stealing the bag. This incites love and confusion, as both Khalujaan and Babban find themselves drawn to Krishna, each secretly hoping for her affection. Krishna manipulates both, luring Khalujaan with romantic gestures and Babban through raw sexuality.
She then plots with them to kidnap Kamalkant Kakkar, or KK, a small businessman believed to have enough money to pay a hefty ransom that could clear Mushtaq’s debt. Krishna asserts that KK has enough wealth but isn’t wealthy enough to attract undue attention, making him an ideal target for the kidnappers, who are desperate to escape Mushtaq’s reach. Reluctantly, Khalujaan and Babban agree to this plan.
As the story unfolds, the romantic tension grows. Khalujaan and Babban, both falling for Krishna, keep their feelings hidden from each other, although Babban eventually seduces Krishna and they share a night of intimacy. Khalujaan, trying to confess his love, is shocked when he discovers Krishna and Babban dancing together after their night together. Though angry at first, Khalujaan chooses to remain silent.
The kidnapping plan encounters complications when KK notices something suspicious and senses danger. Babban, pretending to be a police officer, attempts to stop KK’s car, but KK escapes, leading to a chase that ends with his vehicle plunging into a ditch. During this chaos, Krishna manages to drive KK away, and the trio begins to suspect Krishna may have her own hidden agenda.
Krishna’s interrogation reveals shocking truths: she tortures KK and demands to know where Vidyadhar Verma (her supposedly dead husband) is hiding. She confesses that Verma might still be alive. This revelation leads to a confrontation where Krishna admits that she was merely using them all along. She offers a deal—return the stolen money plus a bribe of 5 Lakhs to Mushtaq, revealing that KK and Verma were involved in arms smuggling from Nepal and that Verma is alive.
The duo finds KK in the basement of Krishna’s house, where he claims he never knew Verma. They demand a ransom of 2.5 Crores, leading KK to contact his wife, who is at a parlor—unaware she is being watched, as her conversation is overheard by KK’s mistress. The plan is to recover the ransom from KK’s factory, and unexpectedly, they encounter Verma, who was believed to be dead but was hiding in a different location.
Verma’s men then abduct Khalujaan and Babban, blindfolding them and driving them to a remote spot. When they remove the blindfolds, they find Nandu, the young boy with gun skills, pointing a weapon at them. Nandu explains that Verma faked his death to escape criminal life, killing his wife in the process and adopting a new identity, believing that he would be free from the law.
Hurrying back to Krishna’s house, Khalujaan and Babban find her tied up, having set a trap. Krishna, in a desperate move, tries to kill herself by igniting a gas leak, but Verma intervenes. A shootout ensues as Verma’s goons are killed, and Verma himself dies in a gas explosion. The police arrive later, following their case, and shoot the remaining goons.
In the aftermath, Krishna is saved, and the three walk away from the burning house, suggesting hope for a new beginning. However, the story ends with uncertainty as Mushtaq (the boss) is seen pointing a gun at them, with his wife’s call overheard through his gun’s barrel, leaving their fate ambiguous. It hints that Mushtaq may still be after them, and their future remains uncertain.
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Follow the complete movie timeline of Ishqiya (2010) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Vidyadhar Verma's Surrender and Death
Krishna Verma attempts to convince her husband, Vidyadhar Verma, to surrender to the authorities. He agrees but tragically dies in a gas explosion shortly afterward. This event sets off a series of criminal pursuits involving theft and kidnapping.
Khalujan and Babban Steal Money
Criminals Khalujan and Babban steal Rs 20 Lakhs and escape from their boss, Mushtaq. They flee to Gorakhpur seeking refuge after their theft, aiming to avoid retribution from Mushtaq who wants to bury them alive.
Seeking Shelter at Verma's House
Khalujan and Babban arrive in Gorakhpur and find that Vidyadhar Verma has died. They take shelter at his house and meet Krishna, his attractive widow, who attempts to seduce them for personal motives. Khalujan hides the stolen money in Krishna's attic.
Mushtaq Tracks Them and Seeks Revenge
Mushtaq discovers the criminals at a local brothel, tortures them to recover the stolen money, but finds it missing. Tensions rise as they are pressured to return the cash before Raksha Bandhan, heightening their vulnerability.
Love and Betrayal Develop
Khalujan and Babban become increasingly infatuated with Krishna. Babban seduces her, leading to an intimate relationship. Khalujan confesses his feelings but is shocked to find Krishna and Babban together, causing tension among the trio.
Kidnapping Riched for Ransom
The trio plans to kidnap KK, a small businessman, believing his ransom money will cover their debts and help them escape Mushtaq's reach. Their attempt involves posing as police to stop KK's car, but the plan is foiled as KK senses their true intentions and escapes.
Shocking Revelations about Verma
Krishna tortures KK and reveals that her husband Vidyadhar Verma might still be alive. The criminals confront Krishna, who admits KK and Verma were involved in arms smuggling from Nepal, and that Verma is alive. They locate KK in his house's basement.
Verma's Faked Death and New Life
KK explains that Verma faked his death to escape his criminal past, killing his wife in the explosion and assuming a new identity. Verma, believed to be dead, is actually hiding to start afresh, complicating their pursuit of him.
Confrontation and Gas Explosion
Verma is eventually confronted by Krishna, Khalujan, and Babban over his survival. Verma fights Krishna, who attempts to kill him by igniting a gas leak. Police arrive, a shootout ensues, and Verma is killed in the explosion, ending his criminal chapter.
Aftermath and Uncertain Fate
The police encounter Mushtaq, who is aiming a gun at Khalujan, Babban, and Krishna. A phone call from Mushtaq's wife creates ambiguity about their fate, leaving their future uncertain but implying they might have been spared.
Explore all characters from Ishqiya (2010). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Khalujaan (Naseeruddin Shah)
A seasoned criminal and the leader of the duo, Khalujaan is cunning, conflicted, and emotionally driven. His affection for Krishna complicates his criminal motives, revealing a layered personality torn between loyalty and love.
Babban (Arshad Warsi)
A witty and impulsive criminal partner, Babban is characterized by humor and a lust for thrill. His complex feelings for Krishna and his loyalty to Khalu add depth to his daring, unpredictable nature.
Krishna (Vidya Balan)
A resourceful widow using seduction and manipulation to achieve her secret goals, Krishna's character embodies cunning and resilience. Her interactions reveal her complex morality and survival instincts amidst dangerous circumstances.
Learn where and when Ishqiya (2010) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Contemporary (early 21st century)
The story unfolds in recent times, reflecting modern criminal behavior and urban settings. It highlights current urban landscapes and social dynamics, with elements like kidnapping, smuggling, and police investigations characteristic of the 2000s or 2010s.
Location
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal
The movie is set mainly in Gorakhpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh known for its cultural history and proximity to Nepal. Gorakhpur serves as a backdrop for criminal activities and refuge for fugitives. The narrative also involves cross-border elements, hinting at Nepal as a distant, elusive destination for the characters.
Discover the main themes in Ishqiya (2010). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Deception
Deception runs deeply through the plot, with characters hiding true intentions, faking deaths, and manipulating others for personal gain. The story explores trust and betrayal amid criminal pursuits, emphasizing how deception influences relationships and outcomes.
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Love and Lust
Romantic and sexual relationships significantly influence character decisions. Krishna's manipulations, Khalu and Babban's love interests, and betrayals reveal how love and lust complicate their criminal exploits. These emotions blur moral boundaries, driving the narrative's tension.

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Discover the spoiler-free summary of Ishqiya (2010). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the dusty, winding lanes of Uttar Pradesh, two small‑time crooks find themselves on the run from relentless goons, their flight turning the ordinary countryside into a restless maze of chance encounters. The older of the pair, Khalujaan, carries a weary confidence forged by years of making do, while his energetic nephew, Babban, brings a restless optimism that bubbles into every nervous chuckle. Their desperate dash throes across markets and villages, each moment pulsing with the tension of being hunted and the darkly comic rhythm of their banter.
The uneasy alliance between uncle and nephew is a study in contrast: Khalujaan’s measured, almost philosophical outlook clashes with Babban’s impulsive, street‑wise bravado. Their conversations drift from bitter self‑reflection to playful ribbing, a constant dance that keeps the audience guessing whether they’ll stick together or fracture under pressure. As they skirt danger, the pair’s survival hinges not just on speed but on the fragile trust that slowly builds between them, threaded with both rivalry and reluctant loyalty.
Amidst this chase, they stumble into the shadowed doorway of a modest home, where the enigmatic widow Krishna awaits. Draped in an aura of melancholy and allure, she is both a reminder of a past that refuses to stay buried and a tantalizing mystery that beckons with whispered promises. Her presence drips with sensuality, yet hints at deeper secrets tied to the very goons that pursue the duo. Both men find themselves drawn to her—Khalujaan by the soft cadence of her voice and the poetry in her gestures, Babban by a more raw, magnetic pull—setting up a delicate triangle of desire, suspicion, and unspoken agendas.
The film glides between gritty realism and a stylized, almost folkloric tone, blending dark humor with moments of haunting beauty. Its palette is warm yet shadowed, echoing the characters’ inner conflicts as they navigate a world where loyalty is fragile, attraction is dangerous, and every turn could expose a new layer of intrigue. The result is a richly atmospheric tale that keeps viewers perched on the edge of curiosity, eager to see how the uneasy partnership and seductive mystery will shape the road ahead.
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