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What's After the Movie?
Plot summary

Ready (2011) Plot Summary & Timeline

Ready (2011) movie poster

Ready is a 2011 action and comedy film directed by Anees Bazmee and Arbaaz Khan, running 2 hours 20 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 909 words (about 4 minutes to read) and covers 11 key events in order, 5 characters, where and when it is set and 2 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Ready.

to read the plot summary
4 min
key events in the timeline
11
characters profiled
5
themes explained
2
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Ready (2011) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m
Directors
Anees Bazmee and Arbaaz Khan
Genres
Action, Comedy
Original language
Hindi
No spoilers

What Is Ready About?

The premise of Ready in 254 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a bustling Indian metropolis where family expectations clash with personal desires, Prem finds himself caught in a familiar tradition: his father’s hopeful match for a suitable bride. The atmosphere buzzes with colorful gatherings, witty banter, and the subtle pressure of honoring lineage, all wrapped in a light‑hearted, romantic comedy tone. Amidst this lively backdrop, the arrival of a mysterious young woman sets the stage for an unexpected twist of fate.

The newcomer, Sanjana, appears just as the wedding preparations reach a fever pitch. She carries an air of both urgency and vulnerability, hinting at a hidden past that contradicts the arranged marriage she seems destined for. While Prem quickly becomes enchanted by her spirited nature, the audience catches glimpses of a larger, more complex web—family members with hidden motives and a shadowy undercurrent tied to wealth and inheritance. The film teases the tension between duty and love, offering a playful yet emotionally resonant exploration of how strangers can become entangled in each other’s worlds.

As the story unfolds, the chemistry between Prem and Sanjana fuels a narrative driven by clever dialogue and a series of increasingly inventive schemes. Their evolving relationship is set against a canvas of vibrant family dynamics, comedic misunderstandings, and the ever‑present question of how far one will go to protect both heart and heritage. The tone remains buoyant and optimistic, inviting viewers to wonder how this unlikely pair will navigate the maze of expectations, hidden agendas, and the promise of a future that might finally unite love with destiny.

Full plot

What Happens in Ready?

The complete story of Ready, from the first scene to the last, in 909 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

What’s After the Movie presents the entertaining story of Prem, played by Salman Khan, a quick-witted and resourceful man with a knack for getting out of tricky situations. He comes to the aid of his childhood friend, Khushi (Zarine Khan), by helping her elope with Raju, portrayed by Ajay Devgn. The film kicks off with a lively and humorous tone as Prem orchestrates this daring escape, setting the stage for an intricate chain of events that unfold later.*

The story deepens when Gaurav (Arbaaz Khan), Khushi’s intended fiancé, reveals a surprising truth: he also has a girlfriend, Kiran (Kangana Ranaut), whom he genuinely wants to marry. This revelation causes tension, especially since Khushi’s father, Mr. Abhinav Pathak (Mithilesh Chaturvedi), is furious at the elopement, along with Prem’s own family, the Kapoors, led by Ram Kapoor (Mahesh Manjrekar), his wife Mrs. Sumitra (Anuradha Patel), and other family members including Bharat Kapoor (Manoj Joshi) and Laxman Kapoor (Manoj Pahwa). Despite the initial chaos, Prem demonstrates his ability to calm the rising tempers, highlighting his clever personality.

In an effort to secure a suitable match for Prem, the family decides to arrange his engagement to Pooja (Amrita Raichand), who lives in the United States and is arriving soon from there. However, Prem, with his mischievous streak, deliberately avoids meeting her at the airport by going to the wrong terminal. Instead, a young woman named Sanjana (Asin Thottumkal), who has just run away from her own wedding, overhears Prem speaking about ditching Pooja. Sanjana is in a bind because she needs a new passport and a safe hideout while her uncles, Amar (Akhilendra Mishra) and Suraj (Sharat Saxena), who are feuding rival dons, are hunting her down. Her uncles are both vying for her inheritance, each wishing her to marry their brother-in-law to claim her wealth.

Sanjana’s plight leads her to impersonate Pooja, pretending to be Prem’s fiancée, and she ends up staying at the Kapoor residence. The family quickly grows fond of her, especially since she appears to be an ideal daughter-in-law capable of managing Prem’s unpredictable nature, though Prem (played by Salman Khan) remains somewhat irritated by her antics. Meanwhile, the real Pooja receives a call from her family but is met with Sanjana’s intercept, leading to misunderstandings. Consequently, Pooja decides to attend her friend’s wedding in Phuket instead of heading home, which further complicates matters.

Soon, Prem devises a plan to get rid of Sanjana/Pooja, pretending she needs to retrieve a parcel from the airport. Instead, he takes her into the jungle, leading to a series of humorous and suspenseful events. During their overnight stay in the wilderness, Sanjana’s identity is accidentally revealed when her driver’s license slips out of her purse. Prem learns her real name, Sanjana, and she confides in him about her uncles’ intentions of forcing her into marriage for her inheritance.

Things become more complicated when her uncles, Amar and Suraj, discover her whereabouts. Their rivalry intensifies as they attempt to capture her, leading to an encounter in the jungle with Suraj’s men. Thanks to Prem’s quick thinking, they manage to escape in a car belonging to Mr. Lehri (Sudesh Lehri), but inadvertently crash into Aryan (Nikitin Dheer), Suraj’s son, who falls into a coma as a result. The chaos heightens when Suraj’s men are after Sanjana and Prem, resulting in a series of comedic yet tense escapades.

As the narrative progresses, Sanjana and Prem find themselves falling in love and making plans to marry. However, her uncles intervene once again, taking her away. The sudden revelation of her true identity sparks a series of confrontations, but the family decides to stand by her, insisting on her happiness. To keep her safe, Prem fabricates a story about being related to Balidaan ‘Baali’ Bhardwaj (Paresh Rawal), a chartered accountant, claiming he has stolen money from him and intends to return it. This “disguise” helps him infiltrate Sanjana’s family further.

Meanwhile, the powerful patriarch Ishwar Choudhary (Puneet Issar), along with his sons Suraj and Amar, and daughter Shalini (Praveena Deshpande), are entangled in their own conflicts, with their daughter Sanjana (Zareen Khan) caught in the middle. Her uncles, both tough and cunning, are scheming for her marriage to their respective brothers-in-law, Veer (Arya Babbar) and others, with the ultimate goal of inheriting her wealth. They also believe that marrying their brothers-in-law to Sanjana will help recover a Rs. 200 crore loan they took, an amount they have only recovered partly.

In a clever twist, Prem suggests that her uncles consider proposals from the daughters of K.K. Modi and B.K. Modi, two wealthy American families, to marry their brothers-in-law. Unbeknownst to them, these families are actually played by Prem’s own father and uncle in disguise, as part of a plan to outsmart her uncles and secure her happiness. Prem orchestrates this deception by convincing her uncles through staged conditions, promising large sums and family unity.

Throughout the climax, Prem manages to reveal the truth about the uncles’ greed, their hidden motives, and the importance of family unity. With a mix of comedy, action, and heartfelt moments, the film concludes with Prem and Sanjana getting married in a grand celebration. Their wedding scene features the entire Chapoors, blending family, humor, and affection, symbolizing their victory over scheming and betrayal.

In essence, this film emphasizes themes of love, loyalty, cleverness, and the importance of family bonds, wrapped in a lively, humorous package that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.


Timeline

Ready Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

11 key events in the order they happen, from “Khushi's Elopement with Raju” to “Happily Ever After”. 2 events name a place, across 2 locations.

  1. 1

    Khushi's Elopement with Raju

    Prem helps his childhood friend Khushi elope with Raju, causing anger among Khushi's father Gaurav and Prem's family, the Kapoors. The elopement creates tension within the families and sets the stage for upcoming conflicts. Prem manages to pacify his family and others involved.

  2. 2

    Gaurav's Revelation about His Girlfriend

    Gaurav admits to Khushi's family that he also has a girlfriend, Kiran, whom he intends to marry. This revelation adds complexity to the family dynamics and wedding preparations, highlighting the misunderstandings and conflicts among the characters.

  3. 3

    Prem's Mission to Receive Pooja

    Prem is tasked with receiving Pooja, who is arriving from the US to be engaged to him. He deliberately goes to the wrong terminal to avoid meeting her, which leads to unforeseen events involving other characters.

    Where:Thailand

  4. 4

    Sanjana's Overhearing and Pretending

    Sanjana, a woman who has run away from her own wedding, overhears Prem discussing ditching Pooja. She then pretends to be Prem's intended fiancée, staying with the Kapoor family to hide her identity, which earns her their affection.

  5. 5

    Pooja's Departure and Sanjana's Rise

    Real Pooja calls the Kapoor residence but is told the family is unavailable. Frustrated, Pooja attends her friend's wedding in Phuket. Meanwhile, Sanjana gains the family's approval as a suitable future daughter-in-law, especially in Prem's eyes.

    Where:Phuket

  6. 6

    Prem and Sanjana's Jungle Adventure

    Prem tricks Sanjana into coming to the jungle under the pretense of a parcel for her from the US. They crash a car in the jungle while escaping from her uncles' goons, leading to a night stranded together and her driver's license accidentally falling out.

  7. 7

    Sanjana's True Identity Revealed

    Prem confronts Sanjana about her real name after discovering her driver's license. She admits to her uncles' plans to marry her off to inherit her wealth, revealing her family background and her reasons for fleeing.

  8. 8

    Sanjana's Family and the Chaudhary Conflict

    Sanjana's uncles, Amar and Suraj, are rival dons trying to arrange her marriage to their respective brothers-in-law for inheritance reasons. The Chaudhary family, led by Ishwar, is also involved in complex family dynamics and schemes to leverage her wealth.

  9. 9

    Prem's Deception with the Modi Family

    Prem orchestrates a fake income tax raid to trick Sanjana's uncles into thinking she will marry Veer and recover her family's wealth. He then introduces the families of the Modi brothers as suitable matches for Sanjana's uncles' brothers-in-law, using disguises and misdirection.

  10. 10

    Revelation and Final Confrontation

    On the wedding day, Aryan recovers from his coma and reveals the truth about Prem's identity, leading to a physical fight. Prem exposes the genuine intentions of Sanjana's family, and the Chaudharys realize their mistakes, leading to reconciliation.

  11. 11

    Happily Ever After

    Prem and Sanjana, having cleared all misunderstandings, marry each other. Their wedding is celebrated with their families and the combined families of the Kapoors and Chaudharys, symbolizing unity and resolution.

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Ready?

5 characters, among them Prem Kapoor (Salman Khan), Sanjana Singh (Asin Thottumkal) and Gaurav (Arbaaz Khan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 4 of them link to the actor’s page.

  • Salman Khan as Prem Kapoor (Salman Khan) in Ready

    Prem Kapoor (Salman Khan)

    Played by Salman Khan

    Prem is a quick-witted and resourceful young man who is deeply loyal to friends and family. His cleverness and humorous antics help resolve conflicts, often using deception to navigate social situations. Despite his playful exterior, he demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and love.

    • 🎬 Hero
    • 😄 Comedic
    • ❤️ Romantic
  • SS

    Sanjana Singh (Asin Thottumkal)

    Played by Asin Thottumkal

    Sanjana is a spirited and headstrong woman who initially runs away from her wedding. She adapts quickly to changing circumstances, using her charm to win hearts. Her character embodies resilience and independence amidst chaos.

    • 💃 Female Lead
    • 💪 Strong-willed
    • 🌟 Charismatic
  • G(

    Gaurav (Arbaaz Khan)

    Played by Arbaaz Khan

    Gaurav is Khushi’s fiancé, who also has a secret romance with Kiran. He is depicted as a conflicted and somewhat naive character, caught between family obligations and his desires.

    • 💍 Fiancé
    • 🤔 Conflicted
    • 😅 Comedic
  • K(

    Kiran (Kangana Ranaut)

    Played by Kangana Ranaut

    Kiran is Gaurav’s secret love interest, representing free spirit and modernity. Her presence challenges traditional expectations and adds to the romantic tension.

    • 💖 Love Interest
    • 🌈 Independent
    • 😄 Cheeky
  • MA

    Mr. Abhinav Pathak (Mithilesh Chaturvedi)

    Khushi’s father, who is protective and traditional, reacts strongly to the elopement. He embodies family honor and societal expectations.

    • 👨‍👧 Parent
    • 🛑 Traditionalist
    • 🤵 Respectful
Setting

Where and When Is Ready Set?

Ready is set in Thailand and Phuket (Present Day (early 21st century)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Present Day (early 21st century)

The film takes place in the contemporary era, reflecting modern social dynamics and urban lifestyles. The setting involves travel to an international tourist hotspot, indicating a timeframe with accessible global transportation and modern technology that influences the story's events and characters' lifestyles.

Where

Thailand, Phuket

The movie is set largely in Thailand, specifically in Phuket, known for its stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and vibrant tourism industry. Phuket is a popular holiday destination, attracting visitors with its scenic coastline and cultural attractions. The setting provides a lively and colorful backdrop for the comedic and romantic escapades of the characters.

  • 🌴 Beach
  • 🏝 Tourist Destination
  • 🌅 Tropical Paradise
Themes

What Are the Themes of Ready?

2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception and Love and Romance.

  1. 01

    Deception

    Deception is central to the film, with characters often disguising their identities or intentions to achieve their goals. The plot revolves around mistaken identities and false pretenses, creating comedic situations and conflicts. This theme highlights how misunderstandings and tricks can lead to humorous and meaningful resolutions.

  2. 02

    Love and Romance

    Love drives much of the story, with characters falling in and out of romantic pursuits amidst comedic chaos. The film explores themes of true love overcoming obstacles, family expectations, and the importance of sincerity in relationships. The romantic developments are intertwined with humorous misadventures, emphasizing love's unpredictable nature.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Ready?

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

Tone
Light
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A fast-paced and energetic romantic comedy full of mistaken identities, chaotic chases, and clever schemes, delivering consistent laughs alongside a lighthearted and uplifting love story.

  • comedic
  • playful
  • energetic
  • romantic
  • suspenseful
  • uplifting
  • arranged marriage
  • inheritance dispute
  • impersonation
  • family bonds

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FAQ

Ready Plot Questions

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

What is Ready about?

In a bustling Indian metropolis where family expectations clash with personal desires, Prem finds himself caught in a familiar tradition: his father’s hopeful match for a suitable bride.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Ready take place?

Ready is set in Thailand and Phuket (Present Day (early 21st century)). The film takes place in the contemporary era, reflecting modern social dynamics and urban lifestyles. The setting involves travel to an international tourist hotspot, indicating a timeframe with accessible global…

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Ready?

The story follows Prem Kapoor (Salman Khan) (played by Salman Khan), Sanjana Singh (Asin Thottumkal) (played by Asin Thottumkal), Gaurav (Arbaaz Khan) (played by Arbaaz Khan) and Kiran (Kangana Ranaut) (played by Kangana Ranaut); the character guide covers 5 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Ready?

The summary picks out 2 themes: Deception and Love and Romance.

The themes explained

Who directed Ready?

Ready (2011) was directed by Anees Bazmee and Arbaaz Khan and runs 2 hours 20 minutes.

Anees Bazmee’s films

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