What Is Selfie About?
The premise of Selfie in 330 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a world where fame feels like a fragile façade, Bogdanov — a celebrated yet jaded writer whose sharp wit has made him both beloved and notorious — watches his carefully constructed life begin to unravel. One day, an eerily perfect replica of him steps into the spotlight, effortlessly slipping into his television show, charming his audience, and slipping into the intimate circles that have long defined his personal sphere. The newcomer’s seamless adoption of Bogdanov’s public persona blurs the line between truth and performance, leaving the original author to confront a surreal reflection of his own success.
The film settles into a tone that balances darkly comic observation with an unsettling psychological undercurrent, inviting viewers to question how much of identity is shaped by external perception versus internal conviction. As the imposter assumes control of Bogdanov’s career, the writer grapples with the stark contrast between his own cynicism and the duplicate’s seemingly effortless charisma. The surrounding cast of friends, partners, and fans become unwitting participants in a quiet drama of existence versus imitation, each interaction hinting at the fragile nature of fame and the unsettling ease with which it can be usurped.
Amid this disorienting takeover, the narrative subtly shifts its focus to the bonds that remain beyond the public eye. Bogdanov’s daughter, who has always observed her father’s complex relationship with his audience, perceives the growing disconnect and begins to search for a way to reclaim the authentic voice that has been buried beneath the surface. Their dynamic adds an emotional thread that deepens the story, suggesting that truth may yet surface through love and determination.
The film paints a vivid picture of a man trapped between his own legacy and a perfect counterfeit, set against a backdrop of media glare and personal uncertainty. Its mood oscillates between wry humor and quiet tension, leaving the audience to wonder whether identity can truly be duplicated, or if the original voice will find a way to break through the silence.
What Happens in Selfie?
The complete story of Selfie, from the first scene to the last, in 697 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Om Prakash Aggarwal, a devoted Motor Vehicle Inspector in Bhopal, is a tireless admirer of film star Vijay Kumar. As Vijay plans to fly to the United States with his wife Naina to be with the surrogate as the baby arrives, the production of his next film, Falak Tak, is pushed closer to its budget-triggering deadline. The climactic sequence, to be filmed on Indian Navy land, still awaits completion, and a missing driving licence threatens to derail the entire shoot. The production team scrambles as a clerical hiccup during a move between RTO buildings blocks the possibility of a quick duplicate, and the film’s budget strain tightens around everyone involved.
A political and social web thickens as Vijay’s rival Suraj Diwan leverages dark tricks to undermine him, even turning to occult motifs to cast doubt on Vijay’s grip on stardom. In a bid to speed things up, Vijay’s politician friend steps in, and Om agrees to arrange a sham licence without the star taking the standard road-test. The plan warrants a personal meeting at the RTO, to serve as a kind of documentary-proof should there be any inquiry. The arrangement lands Vijay in a precarious spot, because the first signs of trouble appear as news leaks—TV crews swarm the RTO, and a local corporator, Vimla Tiwari, spreads the tale that Vijay has been driving without a licence. The story snowballs, the public and media take aim, and Vijay’s reputation takes a hit just as Om’s world begins to tilt under the weight of backlash.
The situation spirals further as Om’s son is targeted by a faction of Vijay’s fervent supporters, prompting Om to feel the sting of the mob’s reach. Yet Vijay remains determined to see the process through, canceling his US trip at the producer’s insistence, and rushing his own child to hospital while the public spectacle continues to unfold. Amid the storm, Om and his wife Minty raise questions about fairness, while Vijay’s team keeps pressing for a path back to normalcy. The film then pivots toward a dramatic resolution: Vijay agrees to undergo a public, open examination under Om’s supervision, turning the test into a live, media-accessible moment.
What follows is a tense and careful choreography of tests and negotiations. The computer-based assessment gives way to a direct question-and-answer session, with Om asking tough, unusual questions designed to probe not just knowledge but composure. Vijay passes the initial hurdles, while Suraj’s confession—propagated secretly by a fellow actress who hopes to hand it to Vijay—threatens to complicate things further. The pressure on Om’s family intensifies as Om’s son again faces bullying related to the case, and Naina’s surgery looms as a time-sensitive distraction that could tilt the outcome.
On the day of the practical test, Vijay navigates the H test with steady control, only to have Om point out minor flaws, creating a stalemate that senior officials override in Vijay’s favor. The subsequent road test is postponed, a delay that lands exactly on the day of Naina’s procedure. Facing moral and professional pressure, Vijay makes a dramatic public declaration: he will relinquish driving forever and retire from both acting and driving if the disruption to his life cannot be resolved. The crowd swells, and a tense chase of loyalties unfolds as angry fans threaten to lash out, but Vijay acts decisively to shield Om and his family, escaping amid the chaos.
The near-miss turns into a path toward reconciliation. In a late-night revelation, Om explains that Vijay’s licence had been kept in a gift box—previously discarded at the RTO—clearing the air and easing the suspicion that had clouded their interactions. Bringing Om and his family to his home, Vijay openly addresses Suraj and Vimla, admonishing them for their missteps and setting the stage for a calmer, more measured conclusion. A few days later, with the tension finally dissipated, Vijay communicates to the press that the misunderstanding has been resolved and that his driving licence has been restored. The film closes with Vijay driving toward the airport, ready to begin the next chapter of his life, while the community appears to have learned a lesson about the dangers of sensationalism, rumor, and the power of reconciliation.
Selfie Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Vijay's US trip plans and looming license crisis” to “Reconciliation and license confirmed; departure to airport”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Vijay's US trip plans and looming license crisis
Vijay Kumar, a celebrated actor, plans to travel to the United States to be with his wife Naina for the surrogate delivery, which would hold up filming on Falak Tak. A critical problem arises when his driving licence goes missing due to a clerical error while shifting between RTO buildings. Without a valid licence, the production's schedule hangs in the balance.
Where:Bhopal
- 2
Illicit license arranged through Om
Vijay's politician friend arranges a meeting with Om Prakash Aggarwal, the MVI of the city, to speed up a duplicate licence. Om agrees to issue the license illicitly without Vijay attending a test and summons Vijay to the RTO as proof in case of inquiry.
Where:RTO, Bhopal
- 3
Suraj Diwan's occult plotting
Suraj Diwan, Vijay's rival, plots to suppress Vijay's ascent using occult means. He realises that an unadvertised RTO visit could reveal his involvement, but believes covert pressure can keep things under wraps.
Where:City
- 4
Vimla's misinformation and scolding Om
Local corporator Vimla Tiwari leaks misinformation to a reporter that Vijay has been driving without a licence. The story spreads quickly, and Vijay, infuriated, scolds Om in front of his son and superiors before leaving the scene.
Where:RTO vicinity / press area
- 5
Om frames Vijay; reputation damaged
Om informs reporters that Vijay was arrogant and wanted a licence without following normal procedures. The sensational claim damages Vijay's reputation and fuels public anger.
Where:Press area
- 6
Attack on Om and misbelief
Suraj's fandom orchestrates a hit-and-run attack on Om, and a masked gang vandalizes Om's house, injuring Om's son. Om becomes convinced that Vijay's men were behind the assaults.
Where:Om's home
- 7
Vijay cancels US trip; hospital rush and threats
Vijay reluctantly cancels his US trip at the producer's insistence. While rushing his son to the hospital, he threatens Om over the phone, which deepens Om's belief that Vijay is involved in the chaos.
Where:Road/City Hospital
- 8
Police inquiry and accusations
During police inquiries, Om and his wife Minty accuse Vijay, but the investigation finds his involvement inconclusive and Vijay is not charged.
Where:Police Station
- 9
Satyagraha and Vijay's confrontation
Protests erupt in front of Vijay's residence as Om's family leads Satyagraha. Vijay addresses the media, calls Om a crazy fan who intrudes into his life, and reveals his plan to attend the driving test under Om's supervision.
Where:Vijay's residence
- 10
Open test and learner's pass
An open test is arranged with media present, replacing the computer-based test with a direct question-and-answer session with Om. Despite the unconventional format, Vijay manages to pass the learner's test.
When:Live broadcast Where:RTO
Show the other 5 events of Selfie Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Suraj's confession witnessed
Vijay's fellow actress discreetly records Suraj's confession, catching his involvement in the plot and planning to share it with Vijay.
Where:Film set / studio
- 12
Naina's surgery and flight plans
Naina requires surgery, and a flight is charted to reach there as soon as the test is completed. The timing of this medical need influences the test schedule and tensions.
Where:City hospital / airport
- 13
H test day and early road-test anticipation
On the practical H test day, Vijay completes it smoothly but Om marks petty mistakes. A superior overrules the decision and passes him, setting up the next road test.
Where:RTO
- 14
Road test postponed for two days; day of Naina's surgery
Om postpones the road test by two days, which happens to be the day of Naina's surgery. The delay creates tension as everyone waits for the new test date while the family deals with the medical emergency.
When:Noon Where:RTO
- 15
Reconciliation and license confirmed; departure to airport
Two days later, before leaving for the airport, Vijay speaks with the press about their reconciliation and declares that he has received his driving licence. He then drives off toward the airport, signaling a resolution to the conflict.
When:Two days later Where:Airport / press area
Who Are the Main Characters in Selfie?
5 characters, among them Om Prakash Aggarwal, Vijay Kumar and Suraj Diwan: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- OP
Om Prakash Aggarwal
A devoted motor vehicle inspector whose obsession with Vijay Kumar blurs professional judgment. He engineers an illicit driving license to speed Vijay's access to the test, driven by a desire to be part of his idol's life. His actions reveal how personal loyalty can blur ethics when power is at stake. The unfolding events show the precarious line between fandom and abuse of authority.
- 🧭 Ambition
- 🔒 Bureaucracy
- VK
Vijay Kumar
A celebrated actor who becomes entangled in a licensing crisis just as he prepares to travel to the United States. He faces intense media scrutiny and a web of rival schemes that threaten to derail his career and public image. He agrees to complete a high-stakes test under an unconventional supervisor, and ultimately secures his license. The arc shows how fame, public pressure, and personal duty collide in a modern Indian film industry.
- 🎤 Celebrity
- 🎭 Fame
- SD
Suraj Diwan
A professional rival who plots to undermine Vijay using occult means; he manipulates the fandom to create discord and to undermine Vijay's standing. He also heightens the conflict by orchestrating distractions and capitalizing on the public spotlight. His actions reveal how ambition and fan culture can be weaponized in competitive industries.
- 🕵️♂️ Rivalry
- 🎭 Obsession
- VT
Vimla Tiwari
A local corporator who wields political influence to sway public perception. She spreads misinformation through reporters to smear Vijay and influence the licensing controversy. Her role underscores how political power can shape media narratives and outcomes in urban centers.
- 🏛️ Politics
- 📰 Misinformation
- N
Naina
Vijay Kumar's wife who needs medical surgery, creating urgency around travel and personal priorities. Her situation adds emotional stakes to the licensing drama and shapes Vijay's decisions under public scrutiny. Her illness anchors the personal costs of professional turbulence.
- 💖 Family
- 🏥 Health
Where and When Is Selfie Set?
Selfie is set in Bhopal, RTO offices, Indian Navy leased land and airport (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
The events occur in the contemporary period, reflecting today's urban Indian setting. The licensing process, media attention, and social media-driven public scrutiny anchor the story in a recognizable present. The plot threads around a film shoot and a political-business nexus that feels modern, not historical.
Where
Bhopal, RTO offices, Indian Navy leased land, airport
Set in Bhopal, the film follows a motor vehicle inspector in the city’s bustle and bureaucratic corridors. Key events unfold around government offices like the RTO and the media glare that follows the licensing controversy. The climax is staged on an Indian Navy leased land, with the airport serving as the finale where the protagonist leaves for the US.
- 🏙️ Bhopal
- 🚗 RTO offices
- ⚓ Indian Navy leased land
- ✈️ Airport
What Are the Themes of Selfie?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Stardom Pressure, Media Manipulation and Power and Corruption.
-
01
Stardom Pressure
The film delves into the pressures of fame on Vijay Kumar, showing how public adoration can blur moral lines. Om's obsession with the idol drives him to bend rules, illustrating how power and celebrity intersect with everyday life. The clash between fans, media, and the star creates a tense atmosphere where every action is amplified.
-
02
Media Manipulation
News channels and social coverage shape public perception, turning a routine licensing issue into a public spectacle. Leaks, rumors, and sensational reporting escalate conflicts and influence authorities' decisions. The story shows how media narratives can pressure individuals and institutions to react, regardless of truth.
-
03
Power and Corruption
Bureaucratic authority and political ties enable questionable decisions, like illicit licensing to curry favor. The plot exposes how power can corrupt judgment and weaponize public sentiment. Yet the protagonist's choices also explore integrity, responsibility, and accountability within a fraught system.
What Kind of Film Is Selfie?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A steadily-paced, tense drama that follows a public figure's life unravelling under intense media scrutiny and mob pressure, culminating in a public redemption and a hopeful resolution.
- tense
- high stakes
- dramatic
- anxious
- public scrutiny
- pressure
- celebrity scandal
- bureaucratic nightmare
- media frenzy
- public image
Content notes: child bullying, public harassment.
Quiz
How well do you remember Selfie? Test yourself on the story.
