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Kisaan (2009) Plot Summary & Timeline

Kisaan (2009) movie poster

Kisaan is a 2009 drama and thriller film directed by Puneet Sira and Sohail Khan, running 1 hour 40 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 551 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 11 key events in order, 6 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Kisaan.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
11
characters profiled
6
themes explained
3
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Kisaan (2009) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m
Directors
Puneet Sira and Sohail Khan
Genres
Drama, Thriller, Action
Original language
Hindi
No spoilers

What Is Kisaan About?

The premise of Kisaan in 304 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the fertile outskirts of Palheri, a modest village near Chandigarh, the rhythm of life is dictated by the seasons and the stubborn resolve of its people. At the heart of this landscape stands a widowed farmer, Dayal Singh, whose devotion to the soil is matched only by his quiet anguish over the increasing pressures that threaten his ancestral fields. The village itself feels like a living tapestry, where every furrow tells a story of perseverance and every sunrise promises the hope of another harvest.

Dayal channels his hopes for the future into his two sons, each embodying a different path. The elder, Aman, is sent to the city to study law, a world of contracts and courtroom battles that seems distant from the mud‑splattered boots of his childhood. The younger, Jiggar, remains beside his father, learning the cadence of ploughs and the delicate balance of crop cycles. Their divergent choices create a silent undercurrent of expectation, loyalty, and rivalry that shapes the family’s daily interactions.

The arrival of a charismatic businessman, Sohan Seth, introduces a tantalizing yet unsettling proposition: a commercial development that would transform the surrounding farmland. His offer glimmers with the promise of progress, but it also threatens to unravel the delicate bond between the land and its stewards. As the community grapples with the allure of wealth versus the weight of heritage, the brothers find themselves on opposite sides of a growing divide, each torn between personal ambition and familial duty.

Against a backdrop of sweeping wheat fields and the relentless hum of a modernizing world, Kisaan captures the raw emotion of a family caught in a quiet storm. The film’s tone is both intimate and expansive, blending the earthy realism of rural life with the looming tension of change, inviting viewers to ponder where loyalty ends and self‑preservation begins.

Full plot

What Happens in Kisaan?

The complete story of Kisaan, from the first scene to the last, in 551 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Widower farmer Dayal Singh, Jackie Shroff, is a steady, observant presence in Palheri, a small community in the Chandigarh district where Zamindars still pull the strings of land, money, and fear. He sees how the system drains hope from the fields and the people who tend them, and he weighs his options to secure his family’s future. To give his elder son Aman Arbaaz Khan a chance at education and a legal career, Dayal sends him to the city, hoping knowledge and a degree will become a shield for the family. In contrast, his younger son, Jigar Sohail Khan, remains at the farm to learn the rhythms of the land and help keep the family livelihood intact.

Years pass, and the world around them changes as a new force arrives in the district. Sohan Seth Dalip Tahil comes with money and ambition, aiming to buy up the farmland and reshape the area into a booming commercial zone. The encroachment threatens the villagers’ way of life, and Aman returns home, ready to stand with his father and brother against this outsider’s plans. Together, the siblings and Dayal try to unite the locals, presenting a quiet but firm defense of their land and livelihoods against Sohan’s pressure.

Trouble compounds when Jigar is arrested for assault, a setback that tests the family’s resolve. Aman steps forward to defend him, but the system proves unyielding, and Jigar is sentenced to five long years in prison. The imprisonment fractures the stability of the family’s daily life and deepens the strain between the rural world they cherish and the new, hostile pressures from the outside investor.

When Jigar returns, the landscape has grown bleaker. Dayal lies bedridden, half of his body paralyzed, while a growing wave of farmers has taken their own tragic steps in despair. In the city, Aman has married Priya Dia Mirza, a fellow lawyer who has aligned herself with the fight against Sohan. Yet Aman has become entangled in the very system he once opposed, working for Sohan and applying pressure on Dayal and other farmers to sell their lands. Priya, meanwhile, is not merely a supportive spouse; she is actively gathering proof against Sohan Seth, driven by a quest for justice that puts her in harm’s way.

The danger crescendos as Priya’s investigations put her in the path of Sohan’s men, who attack her in an attempt to silence her. Aman learns the hard truth of the cost of fighting a powerful foe and is forced to confront the consequences of his choices. He acts decisively to help his brother take down the men who threaten their family and community, a move that marks a turning point in the struggle against the encroachment.

Amid the turmoil, reconciliation begins to bloom. Aman reconnects with his ailing father, renewing a sense of family duty and solidarity that had frayed under strain and distance. Jigar finds love with Titli Nauheed Cyrusi, and the couple—with Titli’s own courage—joins Dayal in tending the family fields, rebuilding what has been damaged. The film closes on a note of tempered resilience: the family, now stronger and more united, works together on the land as Dayal slowly regains his strength, a testament to endurance and the stubborn hope that sustains farmers and their communities in the face of relentless pressure.

Timeline

Kisaan Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

11 key events in the order they happen, from “Dayal and the plan to send Aman to the city” to “The family works together on the fields”. 11 events name a place, across 3 locations.

  1. 1

    Dayal and the plan to send Aman to the city

    Widower farmer Dayal Singh lives in Palheri, witnessing exploitation by Zamindars. He decides to send his elder son Aman to the city to study law, while his younger son Jiggar stays to help run the farm. This setup establishes the divergent paths of the brothers and the looming clash with powerful interests.

    When:early Where:Palheri, District of Chandigarh

  2. 2

    Sohan Seth arrives to buy the farm

    Years later, Sohan Seth arrives in the district with plans to buy farms and turn the area into a commercial zone. His interest threatens the livelihoods of Dayal and other farmers, stirring tension throughout Palheri. The community braces for conflict as negotiations begin.

    When:years later Where:Palheri, District of Chandigarh

  3. 3

    Aman returns and unites against Sohan

    Aman returns from the city and joins his father and Jiggar to advise locals against Sohan's scheme. The siblings unite to defend their land and use their legal knowledge to mobilize the farmers. The stakes rise as pressure from powerful buyers mounts.

    When:upon return Where:Palheri, District of Chandigarh

  4. 4

    Jiggar is arrested and jailed

    Jiggar is arrested on assault charges, triggering a legal battle. Aman defends his brother in court, but Jiggar is sentenced to five years in prison. The family and community feel the weight of this harsh crackdown on resistance.

    When:during arrest and trial Where:Palheri, District of Chandigarh

  5. 5

    Discharge leads to tragedy and pressure from Aman

    After Jiggar's discharge, Dayal finds himself bedridden with half his body paralyzed, while several farmers have committed suicide under the strain. Aman, now in the city, has married Priya and is working for Sohan, pressuring other farmers to sell their lands. The family fractures under the systemic pressure.

    When:after discharge Where:Palheri and City

  6. 6

    Priya gathers proofs against Sohan Seth

    Priya, Aman's partner, begins gathering proofs against Sohan Seth to expose his misdeeds. Her work lays the groundwork for a potential legal case against the antagonist. Her dedication highlights the couple's intertwined fates in the struggle.

    When:during Aman's city life Where:City

  7. 7

    Priya is attacked and killed by Sohan's men

    Before Priya can complete her investigations, she is attacked and killed by Sohan Seth's men. Her death becomes a personal blow for Aman and a catalyst for the brothers to fight back. The crime deepens the conflict between the family and the antagonist.

    When:after Priya's investigations Where:City

  8. 8

    Aman confronts the danger and acts against Sohan's men

    Aman uncovers Priya's fate and reconnects with Jiggar to take down Sohan's men. They coordinate a counter-offensive to dismantle the network of intimidation and violence. The brothers reassert themselves against the corrupt powers.

    When:after Priya's death Where:City

  9. 9

    Aman reconciles with Dayal

    Aman returns to his family and reconciles with his father, who has been struggling with illness and the assault on their land. The reunion signals a renewed commitment to stand together for the farmers' cause. The family unit begins to heal despite ongoing tensions with Sohan.

    When:after the confrontation Where:Palheri, District of Chandigarh

  10. 10

    Jigar marries Titli

    Jigar marries Titli, cementing a new alliance within the family. They join hands to manage the fields and support Dayal as he recovers. The couple's union represents a continuing generational effort to safeguard their land.

    When:after reconciliation Where:Palheri, District of Chandigarh

  11. 11

    The family works together on the fields

    The film closes with Jiggar, Titli, Aman, and Dayal working together on the family fields. Dayal shows signs of recovery as they blend farming with legal tactics to protect their land. The final tableau underscores resilience and unity in the face of exploitation.

    When:final Where:Palheri, District of Chandigarh

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Kisaan?

6 characters, among them Dayal Singh (Jackie Shroff), Aman (Arbaaz Khan) and Jigar (Sohail Khan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Jackie Shroff as Dayal Singh (Jackie Shroff) in Kisaan

    Dayal Singh (Jackie Shroff)

    Played by Jackie Shroff

    A widower and patriarch who tends the family farm in Palheri. He resists Sohan Seth's land grabs and keeps the family united under pressure, even amid illness and tragedy.

    • 👨‍👦 Patriarch
    • 🛡️ Protector
  • A(

    Aman (Arbaaz Khan)

    Played by Arbaaz Khan

    The elder son who studies to become a lawyer in the city and returns to advise his family. He wrestles with his professional duties and his loyalty to the village, helping to expose Sohan Seth's corruption and aid his brother.

    • 🎓 Lawyer
    • 🕊️ Conscience
  • J(

    Jigar (Sohail Khan)

    Played by Sohail Khan

    The younger son who helps on the farm and is arrested for assault, testing the family's resilience. He marries Titli and stands by his brother while resisting land exploitation.

    • 👨‍👦 Brother
    • 🛡️ Loyal
  • P(

    Priya (Dia Mirza)

    Played by Dia Mirza

    A fellow lawyer and Aman's wife who gathers proofs against Sohan Seth. She is attacked by Sohan's men, and her death becomes a catalyst for the brothers to confront their antagonist.

    • 💖 Love interest
    • 🧠 Investigator
  • Dalip Tahil as Sohan Seth (Dalip Tahil) in Kisaan

    Sohan Seth (Dalip Tahil)

    Played by Dalip Tahil

    A powerful land buyer and the antagonist who seeks to convert farmland into a commercial zone. He employs hired goons to intimidate villagers and crush resistance.

    • 🏢 Land grabber
    • 💰 Corruption
  • T(

    Titli (Nauheed Cyrusi)

    Played by Nauheed Cyrusi

    Jigar's wife who supports the family and the fight to protect their land. She stands with her husband and the community during hard times and recovery.

    • 👩‍🦰 Partner
    • 🌸 Support
Setting

Where and When Is Kisaan Set?

Kisaan is set in Palheri and District of Chandigarh. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Palheri, District of Chandigarh

Palheri is a rural farming hub in the District of Chandigarh where farmers face exploitation by powerful zamindars. The area is defined by fields and small farms, where land rights and economic pressure shape daily life. The community bands together to resist land grabs and protect their livelihoods.

  • 🌾 Rural landscape
  • 🏛️ Zamindar influence
Themes

What Are the Themes of Kisaan?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Justice, Rural Struggle and Family.

  1. 01

    Justice

    A central thread is the fight for fairness against predatory landlords. Aman and Jiggar organize the villagers, Priya gathers evidence, and the family confronts the corrupt power of Sohan Seth. The narrative emphasizes moral duty, sacrifice, and the cost of pursuing justice.

  2. 02

    Rural Struggle

    The film contrasts farming life with mounting pressure from land developers and zamindars. It shows how land becomes a battleground for livelihoods and how economic interests threaten the family and the wider community.

  3. 03

    Family

    Family bonds drive the protagonists through hardship. Dayal's resolve to protect the land, Aman's divided loyalties between city life and home, and Jiggar's loyalty to his brother fuel their resilience. The resolution hinges on unity, forgiveness, and shared duty.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Kisaan?

Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Steady
Story
Moderate
Intensity
High
Ending
Happy

A tense and emotionally heavy drama that follows a farming family's desperate struggle against corporate greed, marked by tragedy, betrayal, and a hard-won, hopeful resolution.

  • tense
  • gritty
  • familial conflict
  • desperate
  • hopeful
  • suspenseful
  • family feud
  • rural exploitation
  • corporate greed
  • farmer suicide

Content notes: murder, suicide, assault, imprisonment.

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FAQ

Kisaan Plot Questions

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

What is Kisaan about?

In the fertile outskirts of Palheri, a modest village near Chandigarh, the rhythm of life is dictated by the seasons and the stubborn resolve of its people.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Kisaan take place?

Kisaan is set in Palheri and District of Chandigarh. Palheri is a rural farming hub in the District of Chandigarh where farmers face exploitation by powerful zamindars.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Kisaan?

The story follows Dayal Singh (Jackie Shroff) (played by Jackie Shroff), Aman (Arbaaz Khan) (played by Arbaaz Khan), Jigar (Sohail Khan) (played by Sohail Khan) and Priya (Dia Mirza) (played by Dia Mirza); the character guide covers 6 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Kisaan?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Justice, Rural Struggle and Family.

The themes explained

Who directed Kisaan?

Kisaan (2009) was directed by Puneet Sira, Sohail Khan and Arbaaz Khan and runs 1 hour 40 minutes.

Puneet Sira’s films

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