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Nabab (2017) Plot Summary & Timeline

Nabab (2017) movie poster

Nabab is a 2017 romance and comedy film directed by Abdul Aziz and Joydeep Mukherjee, running 2 hours 20 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 266 words (about 1 minute 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 Nabab.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
11
characters profiled
6
themes explained
3
Nabab (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m
Original language
Bengali
No spoilers

What Is Nabab About?

The premise of Nabab in 265 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the fever‑dream borderlands where Bangladesh meets West Bengal, a covert mission looms beneath the everyday bustle of markets, tea stalls and winding bus routes. The film opens on a tense atmosphere of whispered intelligence work, where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide in a region that feels both familiar and fraught with hidden danger. It is a world where the hum of traffic is punctuated by the distant echo of political stakes, and every road could lead to an unexpected encounter.

At the heart of the story is Rajib Chowdhury, a sharp‑eyed intelligence officer whose personal history is as turbulent as the terrain he patrols. Driven by the memory of his father’s death at the hands of a terrorist, he carries a relentless resolve that fuels his dedication to the job. When the head of the state, Ananya Chatterjee, entrusts him with a delicate assignment that crosses national lines, Rajib must navigate not only the physical challenges of the mission but also the weight of expectations placed upon him by a nation that looks to him for security.

The narrative also hints at a complex partnership with Masud, a principled ACP whose expertise and network make him a valuable asset, yet whose background adds layers of tension within the force. Their dynamic promises a blend of camaraderie and subtle conflict, reflecting broader themes of identity, loyalty, and the cost of duty. The tone is sleek and tense, balancing high‑octane action with the quieter, introspective moments that reveal the characters’ inner drives, setting the stage for a gripping cross‑border thriller without revealing its ultimate twists.

Full plot

What Happens in Nabab?

The complete story of Nabab, from the first scene to the last, in 266 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

A group of travelers on a bus stops for a tea break just as a gang of hooligans arrives. A passing convoy is suddenly attacked, and the assassins target the man inside one of the cars. The quick reflexes of Rajib Chowdhury foil the assault: he arrests one attacker and kills another, while the rest make their escape.

The man in charge on the ground is the Chief Investigating Officer Rajib Chowdhury, and the person in the car turns out to be Chief Minister Ananya Chatterjee. Impressed by Rajib’s resolve, she entrusts him with the duty of uncovering the people behind a recent terrorist conspiracy, and Rajib accepts the challenge with a firm promise to do his best.

Masud, described as a Muslim ACP, is pulled off the Special Action Team after a notorious gangster named Mustaq slips away. Despite his honesty and his sharp intelligence network, Masud feels sidelined and judged for his faith, a prejudice that colors the way he is treated. Rajib wants Masud on the investigative team, but Masud declines.

Rajib’s personal motive runs deep: his father, Constable Shymal Chowdhury, was killed by a terrorist in Bangladesh, a tragedy that fuels Rajib’s determination to serve and protect.

In a past-filled turn, Rajib had escaped from prison and gone to the Commissioner’s house to speak the truth, only to be accused of murdering the Commissioner. With support from his love interest, Subhashree Ganguly, Rajib reaches Avay Mandal. But Avay Mandal traps him, imprisoning his mother and several colleagues, setting the stage for a scheme to kill the Chief Minister in a high-security zone.

Timeline

Nabab Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

11 key events in the order they happen, from “Bus attack and arrest of one attacker” to “Summary ends with Mandal's trap”. 8 events name a place, across 8 locations.

  1. 1

    Bus attack and arrest of one attacker

    A group travels by bus and stops for a tea break on the road. A hooligan gang arrives at the same time and a passing convoy is attacked. The assassins target a man in one of the cars, but the man uses his swiftness to foil the assault, nab and arrest one attacker, and kill another. The rest manage to escape the scene.

    Where:On the road during the tea break

  2. 2

    Rest of the group escapes after the attack

    The attackers flee, and the rest of the convoy escapes the scene. The immediate chaos ends the tea break and leaves investigators with a complex scene to reconstruct.

  3. 3

    Chief Minister identified and mandate given

    The man in the car turns out to be Chief Minister Ananya Chatterjee. She is impressed with Rajib and delegates to him the task of locating the people behind a terrorist conspiracy. Rajib accepts the assignment and vows to pursue it diligently.

    Where:Car

  4. 4

    Rajib commits to pursue the conspiracy

    Rajib accepts the task and resolves to deploy all his resources to uncover the conspiracy. He begins coordinating his network to track down the culprits.

  5. 5

    Masud removed from Special Action Team

    Masud, a Muslim ACP, is taken off from the Special Action Team after the notorious gangster Mustaq escapes his clutches. He laments that his religion is politicized and that he is being blamed for the failure. Rajib wants Masud on the team, but Masud refuses.

    Where:Special Action Team HQ

  6. 6

    Rajib's father killed; motivation to join police

    It is revealed that Rajib's father, Constable Shymal Chowdhury, was killed by a terrorist in Bangladesh. This tragedy motivates Rajib to join the police force and dedicate himself to fighting terrorism.

    Where:Bangladesh

  7. 7

    Rajib escapes prison and reports truth

    Rajib escapes from prison and goes to the Commissioner's house to tell him the truth. There, the Commissioner accuses him of the murder of the Commissioner, complicating Rajib's effort to clear his name.

    Where:Commissioner's house

  8. 8

    Love interest helps Rajib reach Mandal

    With the help of his love interest, Rajib reaches Mandal. The two work together to map out Mandal's network and plan to counter the conspiracy.

    Where:Mandal's domain

  9. 9

    Mandal imprisons Rajib's mother and colleagues

    Mandal imprisons Rajib's mother and a few colleagues, tightening his grip on the case. This development heightens the peril Rajib faces as he continues to pursue the truth.

    Where:Mandal's hideout

  10. 10

    Mandal traps Rajib to kill the Chief Minister

    Mandal traps Rajib with a plan to kill the Chief Minister inside a high-security zone. This shows how deeply the conspiracy runs and how far Mandal is willing to go.

    Where:High-security zone

  11. 11

    Summary ends with Mandal's trap

    The provided summary ends at the moment Mandal traps Rajib to kill the CM, leaving the outcome unresolved in this excerpt.

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Nabab?

6 characters, among them Rajib Chowdhury (Shakib Khan), Ananya Chatterjee (Aparajita Adhya) and Avay Mandal (Kharaj Mukherjee): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 5 of them link to the actor’s page.

  • RC

    Rajib Chowdhury (Shakib Khan)

    Played by Shakib Khan

    A determined Chief Investigating Officer who drives the pursuit of the terrorist conspiracy. He is relentless, resourceful, and willing to bend rules to protect public safety, propelled by the memory of his father’s death at the hands of terrorists in Bangladesh.

    • 👮 Police Officer
    • 🧭 Determined
    • 🔎 Investigator
  • AC

    Ananya Chatterjee (Aparajita Adhya)

    Played by Aparajita Adhya

    The Chief Minister who entrusts Rajib with the mission to uncover terrorists. She remains pragmatic under pressure, balancing public safety with political risk while navigating the vulnerabilities of leadership.

    • 👑 Political Leader
    • 🛡️ Protective
    • 🗺️ Strategic
  • AM

    Avay Mandal (Kharaj Mukherjee)

    Played by Kharaj Mukherjee

    A mastermind who traps Rajib in a high-security zone and orchestrates attempts to eliminate the Chief Minister. He manipulates events from the shadows, displaying ruthlessness and strategic ruthlessness.

    • 🧠 Mastermind
    • 🕳️ Manipulative
    • 🗡️ Ruthless
  • D/

    Diya / Salma (Subhashree Ganguly)

    Played by Subhashree Ganguly

    Rajib's love interest who helps him reach Mandal. She is brave and supportive, playing a crucial role in the emotional arc of the story while aiding the investigation.

    • 💞 Love Interest
    • 🧭 Supportive
    • 🧩 Key Ally
  • K(

    Kali (Amit Hasan)

    Played by Amit Hasan

    A nefarious gangster allied with terrorist elements; he embodies the criminal underworld the heroes must dismantle, bringing menace and threat to the narrative.

    • 🗡️ Villain
    • 🧩 Underworld
    • 🔥 Ruthless
  • M(

    Masud (Sagnik Chatterjee)

    A Muslim ACP who faces discrimination within the police force; his loyalty to the mission is tested as he contends with bias and skepticism about his capabilities.

    • 👮 Officer
    • 🧭 Loyal
    • 🕊️ Honest
Setting

Where and When Is Nabab Set?

Nabab is set in Bangladesh. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Bangladesh

The story unfolds in Bangladesh, with scenes that move from crowded bus stops and tea breaks to high-security zones. The urban setting emphasizes constant tension between public safety and political maneuvering. The backdrop suggests a national landscape where terrorism threats intersect with everyday life.

  • 🏙️ Urban
  • 🛡️ Security
  • 🗺️ Political Intrigue
Themes

What Are the Themes of Nabab?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Justice & Duty, Identity & Bias and Terrorism & Security.

  1. 01

    Justice & Duty

    A relentless Chief Investigating Officer leads the charge against a terrorist conspiracy, driven by duty to protect the public. The narrative places personal risk and professional integrity at the forefront as Rajib navigates threats and political pressure. Past trauma, including his father's death, fuels his resolve to uncover the truth. The film frames justice as a high-stakes battle where outcomes affect many lives.

  2. 02

    Identity & Bias

    The plot highlights prejudice within law enforcement, as Masud faces discrimination based on faith. Rajib seeks to build a capable team despite institutional barriers, exposing how identity can influence trust and competence. The tension reveals how bias can hinder effective justice and complicate loyalty. The story uses these dynamics to critique reliability and fairness in security services.

  3. 03

    Terrorism & Security

    A terrorist conspiracy targets the Chief Minister and destabilizes public order, triggering a dangerous pursuit. Attacks unfold in bursts of chaos: a tea-break moment, a convoy assault, and a looming threat in a high-security zone. The investigation escalates into a race against time, testing intelligence, courage, and coordination. The themes centers on prevention, threat response, and the costs of safeguarding a nation.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Nabab?

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

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
High

A fast-paced and tense thriller that follows a determined intelligence agent through a dangerous web of conspiracy, wrongful accusation, and high-stakes action.

  • suspenseful
  • anxious
  • urgent
  • dramatic
  • tense
  • driven
  • counter-terrorism
  • police investigation
  • political conspiracy
  • corruption

Content notes: terrorism, murder, political violence, wrongful imprisonment.

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Where to watch

Where to Watch Nabab

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

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FAQ

Nabab Plot Questions

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

What is Nabab about?

In the fever‑dream borderlands where Bangladesh meets West Bengal, a covert mission looms beneath the everyday bustle of markets, tea stalls and winding bus routes.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Nabab take place?

Nabab is set in Bangladesh. The story unfolds in Bangladesh, with scenes that move from crowded bus stops and tea breaks to high-security zones. The urban setting emphasizes constant tension between public safety and political maneuvering.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Nabab?

The story follows Rajib Chowdhury (Shakib Khan) (played by Shakib Khan), Ananya Chatterjee (Aparajita Adhya) (played by Aparajita Adhya), Avay Mandal (Kharaj Mukherjee) (played by Kharaj Mukherjee) and Diya / Salma (Subhashree Ganguly) (played by Subhashree Ganguly); the character guide covers 6 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Nabab?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Justice & Duty, Identity & Bias and Terrorism & Security.

The themes explained

Who directed Nabab?

Nabab (2017) was directed by Abdul Aziz and Joydeep Mukherjee and runs 2 hours 20 minutes.

Abdul Aziz’s films

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