What Is Rifle Club About?
The premise of Rifle Club in 314 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the mist‑shrouded heights of the Western Ghats, a historic rifle club stands as a testament to generations of skill, camaraderie, and reverence for the hunt. The towering forests and winding valleys lend the setting a quiet majesty, while an undercurrent of unease hints at forces that would see the sanctuary shattered. The club’s purpose extends beyond sport—it is a living archive of tradition, a place where the echo of rifle fire is balanced by the whisper of wind through pine.
At the heart of this close‑knit community are its seasoned hunters, guided by the stoic leadership of Kuzhiveli Lonappan and the meticulous stewardship of his secretary Avaran. Their ethos is one of mentorship, where seasoned marksmen pass down techniques honed over decades. Into this world arrives Shajahan, an aspiring actor seeking authenticity for an upcoming role; he quickly discovers that immersion in the club’s rigorous training offers more than preparation—it offers a temporary refuge. Sharing that shelter are Ali and Nadiya, a pair forced to flee their own turbulent lives, whose presence begins to knit new threads into the club’s social fabric.
Beyond the tranquil rhythm of target practice and forest patrols, a darker presence looms: a vengeful arms dealer and his looming gang, drawn to the club like a storm to the ridge. Their intent is unmistakable, turning the secluded haven into a focal point for a looming confrontation. This threat infuses the everyday routine with a palpable tension, urging the hunters to reaffirm the values that have sustained them for years.
Against this backdrop of raw natural beauty and rising peril, the rifle club becomes more than a sporting venue—it transforms into a crucible where loyalty, skill, and the desire to protect a shared legacy are tested. The atmosphere crackles with anticipation, inviting viewers to wonder how the bond among these diverse characters will shape the battle for the club’s future.
What Happens in Rifle Club?
The complete story of Rifle Club, from the first scene to the last, in 578 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 12 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In 1991, a Mangalore-based gangster, Dayanand Bare, Anurag Kashyap throws a birthday party for his son Bichu Parimal Shais and his other son Bheera Hanumankind, signaling a family bound by fear and power rather than affection. The celebration takes a dark turn when Bichu, drawn to the dancer Nadiya Navani Devanand, tries to kiss her. Nadiya’s partner, Ali Ramzan Muhammed, intervenes and strikes Bichu, sending him plummeting into a dumpster several levels below. The fall proves fatal, and the brutal act ignites a wave of revenge that fuels the story.
Dayanand’s fury drives him to dispatch his men to capture Ali and Nadiya, forcing the couple to flee toward Kannur in search of safety. They seek refuge with Ali’s cousin, Shajahan Vineeth Kumar, an actor who is preparing for a hunter role in the film Vetamrugam. Shajahan is eager to help but also looks for ways to keep them hidden from Dayanand’s pursuing gang. To strengthen his craft and shield his guests, Shajahan joins a rifle club in Sulthan Bathery, hoping that method acting and real training will give him the edge he needs.
The club operates as a tight-knit family of skilled hunters, led by Kuzhiveli Lonappan Vijayaraghavan and the observant secretary Avaran Dileesh Pothan. Their circle traces back to Kaduvachalil Skariya, a co-founder figure whose presence is felt even as he appears only in a photo, and Kunnoth Kochauseph K. P. A. C. Azeez whose portrait bookends the club’s history. Ali and Nadiya arrive at the club and find shelter, while Shajahan and Avaran begin training with other members in the forest, practicing the kinds of tactics that might someday save them from Dayanand’s orbit of danger.
Bheera, still seeking revenge, tracks the couple to the rifle club. His anger is fueled not only by Bichu’s death but also by the humiliation Dayanand’s men had inflicted on him, especially at the hands of Ittiyanam Vani Viswanath. Bheera leads a brutal attack on the club with his gang, forcing the defenders to fight for their lives. The club members push back, managing to kill all attackers except Bheera and Dayanand’s ally Chittappan Senna Hegde. Dr. Lazar [Suresh Krishna], Ittiyanam’s ex-husband, offers to treat Bheera’s injuries, but the enraged son refuses medical help.
Dayanand himself arrives and retrieves Bheera, but the wounds prove too severe, and Bheera dies. The vow of revenge takes center stage as Dayanand plans another assault, determined to obliterate the rifle club that has become a thorn in his side. The second clash unfolds under tense skies as Avaran’s wife, Sisily Unnimaya Prasad, fires a flare to warn him but fails to catch his eye. She then sends their dog with a message, a desperate bid that reaches Avaran and Shajahan in the forest just before the animal is slain by a tiger. Realizing the danger, Avaran and Shajahan race back to the club to reinforce their comrades, and Shajahan, spurred by the danger, confronts his fears and fights alongside the others.
The final confrontation pits the rifle club directly against Dayanand. Joined by Ali and Nadiya, the club holds firm and slowly turns the tide against Dayanand’s assault. In a climactic stand, Dayanand is killed, ensuring the safety of the club, the couple, and the fragile peace they have fought to protect. The story closes with a sense of hard-won safety and the hopeful possibility of a quieter life for Ali and Nadiya, now shielded by a community that fought to defend them.
Rifle Club Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Birthday party for Bichu” to “Final confrontation ends Dayanand; safety is secured”. 15 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Birthday party for Bichu
Dayanand Bhare hosts a birthday party for his son Bichu in Mangalore. Bichu becomes infatuated with dancer Nadiya and attempts to kiss her. Nadiya’s partner, Ali, intervenes and strikes Bichu, causing him to fall into a dumpster.
When:1991 Where:Mangalore
- 2
Ali and Nadiya flee; seek refuge in Kannur
Furious after the incident, Dayanand dispatches his men to capture Ali and Nadiya. The couple escapes and travels to Kannur in search of safety, hoping to reach Ali's cousin Shajahan, an actor preparing for a hunter role in the film Vetamrugam.
Where:Kannur
- 3
Shajahan joins a rifle club to sharpen his acting
Shajahan travels to Sulthan Bathery and joins a rifle club to polish his method acting for the hunter-themed film. The club is led by Kuzhiveli Lonappan with secretary Avaran, and is treated as an extended family of skilled hunters.
Where:Sulthan Bathery
- 4
Ali and Nadiya arrive at the rifle club
Ali and Nadiya reach the rifle club and are sheltered by Shajahan and the other members. Shajahan and Avaran practice hunting in the forest with the club, demonstrating the group's camaraderie.
Where:Rifle club, Sulthan Bathery
- 5
Ittiyanam humiliates Bheera at the club
During the club's routine, Ittiyanam humiliates Bheera, fueling his anger and desire for revenge. The insult becomes a personal grievance that will later influence the attack on the club.
Where:Rifle club, Sulthan Bathery
- 6
Bheera tracks the couple and launches an attack
Bheera locates Ali and Nadiya at the rifle club and launches an assault with his gang. The club members defend themselves, but the attackers push through, leaving casualties behind.
Where:Rifle club, Sulthan Bathery
- 7
The club fights back; most attackers are killed
The club retaliates with determined resistance, killing all attackers except Bheera and Dayanand’s associate Chittappa. The clash exposes the club's lethal competence and unity under pressure.
Where:Rifle club, Sulthan Bathery
- 8
Dr. Lazar offers to treat Bheera; he refuses
Dr. Lazar, Ittiyanam’s ex-husband, offers medical help to Bheera for his injuries. Bheera refuses the aid, choosing vengeance over healing as the confrontation escalates.
Where:Rifle club vicinity
- 9
Dayanand arrives; takes Bheera away; Bheera dies
Dayanand arrives at the scene and forcibly removes Bheera, but the injuries prove fatal for him. The death hardens Dayanand's resolve to target the club and its supporters.
Where:Rifle club vicinity
- 10
Dayanand vows revenge and plans another assault
Following Bheera’s death, Dayanand swears revenge and organizes a second assault on the rifle club. He mobilizes his men to break the club’s defenses and retrieve their honor.
Where:Around the rifle club
Show the other 5 events of Rifle Club Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Sisily signals danger; sends the dog with a message
As the second assault unfolds, Avaran’s wife Sisily fires a flare to warn him and then sends their dog with a message through the forest. The effort underlines the tense, nearby danger facing the club.
Where:Forest near Sulthan Bathery
- 12
The dog is killed by a tiger; reinforcements respond
The brave dog is killed by a tiger while carrying the message, illustrating nature’s interference in the human conflict. Avaran and Shajahan receive the alarm and hurry back toward the club to reinforce the defense.
Where:Forest near Sulthan Bathery
- 13
Avaran and Shajahan return and repel the attackers
Avaran and Shajahan reach the club just in time to mount a counter-attack. They fight alongside the other members, gradually turning the battle in the club’s favor.
Where:Rifle club, Sulthan Bathery
- 14
Shajahan overcomes fear and joins the final stand
Shajahan overcomes his fears and fights confidently during the final stand with the club. This marks his full commitment to the group and his character’s growth.
Where:Rifle club vicinity
- 15
Final confrontation ends Dayanand; safety is secured
In the climactic moment, the rifle club confronts Dayanand directly and kills him. With Dayanand dead, the club, along with Ali and Nadiya, is secured and their safety is ensured.
Where:Rifle club vicinity
Who Are the Main Characters in Rifle Club?
14 characters, among them Dayanand Bare (Anurag Kashyap), Bichu (Parimal Shais) and Bheera (Hanumankind): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Dayanand Bare (Anurag Kashyap)
Played by Anurag Kashyap
A Mangalore-based gangster who rules by fear. He orchestrates a birthday party that leads to his son Bichu's humiliation and a violent chase that drags Ali and Nadiya into hiding. His pursuit of control culminates in his death at the hands of the rifle club.
- 🔫 Gangster
- 🔥 Violent
- 💼 Boss
- B(
Bichu (Parimal Shais)
Played by Parimal Shais
Dayanand's son, who becomes infatuated with Nadiya. His attempt to kiss her triggers the brutal sequence that ends with his fall into a dumpster. His death catalyzes the crew's drive for revenge and escalation.
- 💔 Tragic
- 🧒 Child
- 🔪 Risk
- B(
Bheera (Hanumankind)
Played by Hanumankind
Dayanand's other son, driven by a desire for revenge after his brother's death and his own humiliation. He leads an assault on the rifle club, but is ultimately defeated by the club's resistance.
- 🗡️ Violent
- 🔥 Revenge-seeker
- 💔 Tragic
- N(
Nadiya (Navani Devanand)
Played by Navani Devanand
A dancer connected to Ali, whose relationship with him becomes the catalyst for their escape. She seeks safety with Shajahan and the rifle club, becoming a central figure in the refuge plot.
- 💃 Dancer
- 💔 Lover
- 🕊️ Refuge
- A(
Ali (Ramzan Muhammed)
Played by Ramzan Muhammed
Nadiya's partner, a hunter-by-nature figure whose flight from Dayanand becomes a key thread of the pursuit. His alliance with Shajahan facilitates their shelter within the rifle club.
- 💪 Resilient
- 🧭 Escapee
- ❤️ Lover
- S(
Shajahan (Vineeth Kumar)
Played by Vineeth Kumar
Ali's cousin and an actor training for a hunter role who offers refuge to Ali and Nadiya. He joins the rifle club, embracing the club's community and its survival mindset.
- 🎭 Actor
- 🗡️ Hunter-in-training
- 🤝 Ally
-
Kuzhiveli Lonappan (Vijayaraghavan)
Played by Vijayaraghavan
The rifle club's seasoned leader who presses training and discipline, acting as a stabilizing figure for the men and women who join the club.
- 🧭 Leader
- 🏹 Mentor
- SA
Secretary Avaran (Dileesh Pothan)
Played by Dileesh Pothan
Club secretary who keeps the group functioning and acts as a father figure to the younger members. He navigates the club through the attack and its aftermath.
- 🧭 Leader
- 👔 Organizer
- S(
Sisily (Unnimaya Prasad)
Played by Unnimaya Prasad
Avaran's wife who sends a flare and uses a dog to relay messages, illustrating the civilian side of the club's world and the dangers of the attackers.
- 💖 Wife
- 🐕 Messenger
- DL
Dr Lazar (Suresh Krishna)
Played by Suresh Krishna
Ex-husband who offers to treat Bheera's injuries, representing a separate network of professionals intersecting the club's world.
- 💊 Doctor
- 🧠 Medical
- I(
Ittiyanam (Vani Viswanath)
Played by Vani Viswanath
A club member whose past troubles with his ex-husband Dr Lazar highlight the personal histories entwined with the club's life.
- 🧭 Member
- 🗡️ Fighter
- C(
Chittappan (Senna Hegde)
Played by Senna Hegde
A club member who fights alongside the others during the climactic defense of the club, embodying resolve under pressure.
- 🗡️ Fighter
- 🤝 Ally
- FJ
Fr. Joshy / Thokachan (Prasant Murali)
Played by Prasant Murali
A character with the dual identifiers who contributes to the film's blend of religious authority and local color.
- 🎭 Clergy
- 🧭 Guide
- P(
Pedro (Natesh Hegde)
Played by Natesh Hegde
A club member present in the background who helps maintain the group's cohesion during the crisis.
- 🎭 Member
- 🛟 Shield
Where and When Is Rifle Club Set?
Rifle Club is set in Mangalore, Kannur and Sulthan Bathery (1991). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1991
Set in 1991, the film captures a pre-digital era where loyalties are tested through local networks and street-level violence. The early 1990s in coastal Kerala are depicted as tense, with power struggles brewing beneath everyday life. This period shapes the characters' actions and the escalation of conflict.
Where
Mangalore, Kannur, Sulthan Bathery
The story unfolds across coastal Mangalore, the inland town of Kannur, and the forested outskirts of Sulthan Bathery in Kerala. The rifle club sits on the edge of a rural landscape where hunting and loyalty define daily life. The setting blends urban heat with forest-bound isolation, creating a backdrop for crime, refuge, and revenge.
- 🌆 Coastal city
- 🏞️ Rural forest belt
- 🗺️ Coastal town
What Are the Themes of Rifle Club?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Violence, Escape and Loyalty.
-
01
Violence
Violence drives the plot and defines relationships within the rifle club and the gang. The murder of Bichu triggers a cycle of retaliation that exposes how power is exercised through fear and force. The club's defense of its members frames violence as both protection and domination.
-
02
Escape
Escape motivates Ali and Nadiya's flight from Dayanand's reach, seeking safety with allies in Kannur and within the rifle club. The journey is marked by tense chases, hidden refuges, and the fragile hope of a new, safer life. The shelter provided by the club offers a temporary sanctuary that complicates the pursuit.
-
03
Loyalty
Loyalty binds the rifle club together, forming a surrogate family of hunters. Members defend one another against Dayanand's raids, and individuals like Shajahan prove their commitment through courage and solidarity. The film uses these bonds to question traditional family ties and ritualized power.
-
04
Revenge
Revenge is a central motor of the conflict, with Dayanand seeking vengeance for his humiliation and Bheera driven by fury over Bichu's death. The escalation culminates in a climactic confrontation where the club asserts collective power over personal vengeance.
What Kind of Film Is Rifle Club?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Happy
A relentlessly tense and violent action-thriller that maintains a fast pace through a brutal revenge plot, ultimately delivering a cathartic and hopeful resolution as a community bands together for survival.
- tense
- vengeful
- brutal
- urgent
- dangerous
- hopeful
- revenge
- found family
- survival
- gang violence
Content notes: gang violence, revenge killing, brutal assault, death of a family member.
Quiz
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