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Plot summary

Taish (2020) Plot Summary & Timeline

Taish (2020) movie poster

Taish is a 2020 drama and thriller film directed by Bejoy Nambiar, running 2 hours 23 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 728 words (about 3 minutes to read) and covers 15 key events in order, 15 characters, where and when it is set and 5 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Taish.

to read the plot summary
3 min
key events in the timeline
15
characters profiled
15
themes explained
5
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Taish (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 23m
Director
Bejoy Nambiar
Genres
Drama, Thriller, Crime
Original language
Hindi
No spoilers

What Is Taish About?

The premise of Taish in 330 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the rolling countryside that borders London, a week of wedding celebrations blooms with color and tradition, only to be shadowed by the presence of an imposing, financially powerful family. The atmosphere crackles with the juxtaposition of an elaborate, hopeful ceremony and the quiet, relentless pressure exerted by a clan whose reputation for intimidation precedes them. The setting—vibrant yet tense—draws viewers into a world where joy and danger sit uncomfortably close, and where the simple act of gathering can become a catalyst for deeper, unseen conflicts.

Rohan Kalra, a diligent Indian General Practitioner, arrives in this charged environment carrying the weight of his own personal crossroads. With his Pakistani orthopaedic surgeon partner Aarfa waiting back in the city, Rohan’s affection for his family collides with the cultural expectations that loom over the festivities. His brother Krish is at the centre of the celebrations, and the pressure to secure a suitable future for both men rides on the same weekend. Adding another layer, Sunny, Rohan’s loyal best friend, brings a mix of humor and unspoken loyalty that hints at complexities beneath the surface of their camaraderie.

Across the divide, the formidable Kuljinder presides over a tight‑knit crime family whose influence stretches into the very heart of the celebrations. His younger brother Pali wrestles with aspirations of freedom, yearning to break away from the family’s shadow, while his secret love, Jahaan, offers a glimpse of a life beyond the inherited expectations. Their interactions pulse with restrained passion and quiet defiance, painting a portrait of individuals caught between duty and desire.

A long‑held secret binds these two worlds, suggesting that the forthcoming days will test loyalties, unearth buried grievances, and push characters toward choices neither anticipated. The tone remains taut and brooding, infused with the rich cultural textures of diaspora life and the looming specter of retribution. As the celebrations unfold, the audience is left with an intoxicating sense that the idyllic veneer may soon give way to a storm of intertwined fates.

Full plot

What Happens in Taish?

The complete story of Taish, from the first scene to the last, in 728 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 12 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Rohan Kalra, Jim Sarbh, a General Practitioner living in the UK, shares a life with his girlfriend Aarfa, Kriti Kharbanda, a Pakistani orthopedic surgeon. When he receives an invitation to his brother Krish Kalra’s, Ankur Rathee, wedding, a quiet tension settles over their relationship. Rohan fears his conservative parents won’t accept Aarfa, so he decides to attend the wedding alone, hoping to shield her from the looming family pressure. At the ceremony, his mother presses him to consider marriage proposals of his own, cultivating an atmosphere that grows increasingly claustrophobic.

The mood shifts dramatically with the arrival of Sunny Lalwani, Pulkit Samrat, Rohan’s best friend, whose presence unsettles the delicate balance. The wedding night reveals a painful truth: Krish’s fiancée, Mahi, Zoa Morani, had cheated on him a month before the vows, adding a sting of betrayal to the already tense gathering. Parallel to this wedding drama, the world of crime and family loyalty expands around Kuljinder Brar, Abhimanyu Singh, a crime-family head who forcibly marries Jahaan Brar, Sanjeeda Sheikh, a woman who loves Kuljinder’s younger brother, Pali, Harshvardhan Rane.

Pali dreams of a freer life with Jahaan, but the reality of allegiance to the family complicates everything. He arrives at the wedding venue and threatens Kuljinder with a gun, only to be restrained from acting. The marriage drives Pali to rage, vowing that he won’t kill Kuljinder until Kuljinder fires the first shot. Shortly after, Jahaan escapes back to be with Pali and reveals she is carrying his child. Hoping to escape the cycle, Pali plans to run away with Jahaan, but Jahaan’s sister, Sanobar Brar, Saloni Batra, uncovers the secret and insists Jahaan abort the pregnancy, bringing the two families into sharper conflict.

As these personal loyalties collide, Sunny uncovers a terrible link: Rohan’s childhood molester is a friend of Kuljinder. The revelation triggers violence that changes everything. Sunny brutally assaults Kuljinder, leaving him paralyzed and voiceless, and the family blames Pali for the attack. To prove his innocence, Pali vows revenge, which sparks a chain of kidnapings during Krish’s wedding: Krish is killed and Sunny is left badly injured. The aftermath sees Pali and his ally Sukhi, Saurabh Sachdeva, arrested as Rohan’s family files a case, and Pali being jailed while Rohan retreats to a remote place to escape the fallout.

Two years pass before Sunny’s sister reaches out through Aarfa to Rohan, revealing Sunny’s disappearance. It turns out Sunny is in the same jail as Pali, seeking revenge for Krish’s death. The revelation shifts again when it’s learned that one year after Krish’s death, Mahi committed suicide in Bristol, pushing Sunny to take drastic action. Rohan, Aarfa, and Shozi, Viraf Patel, work to get Sunny out of jail before he can act on his vengeance. Meanwhile, Kuljinder’s business is revealed to be run by his wife Sanober, and Pali, now free within the system, learns of Sunny’s plans to strike back.

Rohan and Aarfa’s relationship stabilizes as they move toward engagement, but danger remains. A probing confrontation with Sukhi escalates at Rohan’s residence, with Sukhi threatening them to reveal Sunny’s location. After a tense standoff, Sunny’s sister is held at knife point, forcing Rohan to disclose Sunny’s whereabouts. The group manages to escape and rescue Sunny, who then warns Pali that he intends to kill his younger brother Jassi, Armaan Khera, a brother figure to Pali.

A night at a bar turns brutal when Sunny, now intoxicated, shoots Jassi, centering the vengeance arc on the murder of Krish’s family. Overwhelmed by the loss, Pali vows revenge and contemplates an artificial injury to break free from jail. Rohan confronts Pali and discovers the darker truths about Kuljinder’s deeds, which Pali confirms with Sanober. Pali escapes en route to the hospital and joins Sukhi at his home, where he urges Jahaan to run away with him and leave their violent world behind.

The finale erupts into a high-stakes chase, pitting Sunny and Rohan against Pali and Sukhi. A catastrophic crash leaves Pali wounded while Sukhi is killed on the spot. Sunny and Rohan press the assault, bringing down the weakened Pali, but Sunny is fatally shot in the climax and dies in Rohan’s arms as he strains to help. The story closes with a quiet, aching note: Jahaan waits for Pali at an airport, the future uncertain, the cycle of turmoil seemingly paused but not broken.

Timeline

Taish Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

15 key events in the order they happen, from “Rohan heads to Krish's wedding, leaving Aarfa behind” to “Final chase ends in crash; Sunny dies; Sukhi killed; Jahaan waits at the airport”. 15 events name a place, across 15 locations.

  1. 1

    Rohan heads to Krish's wedding, leaving Aarfa behind

    Rohan Kalra, a general practitioner, lives in the UK with his girlfriend Aarfa. He receives an invitation to his brother Krish's wedding, which rekindles fears about his parents' acceptance of Aarfa. To avoid a difficult confrontation, he decides to attend the wedding by himself.

    When:Day of Krish's wedding Where:UK

  2. 2

    Wedding tensions rise as family pressures marriage; Sunny arrives; Mahi's cheating exposed

    At the wedding, his mother pressures him to consider marriage as well, amplifying family tension. Sunny Lalwani, Rohan's best friend, arrives and shifts the mood. It is revealed that Krish's fiancée Mahi had cheated on him a month before the wedding, complicating everyone's feelings.

    When:During Krish's wedding Where:Krish's wedding venue, UK

  3. 3

    Kuljinder's forced marriage to Jahaan; Pali vows restraint

    Kuljinder marries Jahaan in a forced arrangement, igniting friction with his younger brother Pali who wants to break away. Pali vows not to kill Kuljinder until Kuljinder fires the first bullet. The vow sets the stage for a long-running family feud.

    When:Days around wedding Where:Kuljinder's wedding venue

  4. 4

    Jahaan escapes with Pali; Jahaan pregnant; abortion forced

    Jahaan escapes Kuljinder's wedding with Pali to start a new life together. She reveals she is pregnant with Pali's child, raising the stakes for their future. Sanober, Jahaan's sister, discovers the truth and forces Jahaan to abort the pregnancy.

    When:Shortly after escape Where:Escape location

  5. 5

    Sunny learns Kuljinder's past; brutal confrontation

    Sunny discovers that Kuljinder is connected to Rohan's past as his childhood molester. He confronts Kuljinder and brutalizes him, leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak. The assault deepens the enmity between the families.

    When:A few days later Where:Kuljinder's residence

  6. 6

    Wedding kidnapping leads to Krish's death; Sunny injured

    Seeking revenge for Krish, Pali's vow triggers a chaotic plan that culminates at Krish's wedding. Sunny and Krish are abducted; Krish is killed and Sunny is badly injured. The dramatic turn escalates the feud into a lethal vendetta.

    When:During Krish's wedding Where:Krish's wedding venue

  7. 7

    Pali and Sukhi arrested; Rohan's family files case; Pali jailed

    Following the abduction, local authorities arrest Pali and his ally Sukhi as Rohan's family files a formal case. Pali is jailed, and Rohan relocates to a remote place, blaming Sunny for Krish's death and distancing himself from the violence.

    When:After wedding incident Where:UK / jail

  8. 8

    Two years later: Sunny disappears; Sunny in jail with Pali; Mahi's Bristol suicide

    Two years pass and Sunny's sister alerts Rohan through Aarfa that Sunny has vanished. It later emerges that Sunny is in the same jail as Pali, plotting revenge for Krish's death. It is revealed that one year after Krish's death, Mahi committed suicide in Bristol, fueling Sunny's resolve.

    When:Two years later Where:Prison / Bristol

  9. 9

    Rohan, Aarfa, and Shozi free Sunny from jail

    Rohan, along with Aarfa and Shozi, orchestrates Sunny's release from jail to prevent him from enacting more violence. They manage to extract him from confinement, aiming to steer him away from further danger and vengeance.

    When:Soon after Sunny's disappearance Where:Prison

  10. 10

    Kuljinder's business now run by Sanober; Pali knows Sunny's plan

    From within jail, Pali learns of Sunny's plan to kill him. Meanwhile, Kuljinder's business is now controlled by his wife Sanober and Pali, who remain a silent but informed player in the ongoing feud. The dynamics between the families grow even more precarious as Sunny's intent becomes clear.

    When:After Sunny's release Where:Kuljinder's business HQ

Show the other 5 events of Taish
  1. 11

    Rohan and Aarfa repair their relationship; engagement

    Amidst the chaos, Rohan and Aarfa begin to repair their relationship and eventually become engaged. Their renewed bond offers a glimmer of stability in the escalating conflict, even as the danger around them continues.

    When:After Sunny's release Where:UK home

  2. 12

    Attack on Rohan's residence; Sukhi threatens; Sunny's sister held

    At Rohan's residence, Sukhi ambushes the couple and forces them to reveal Sunny's location. Sunny's sister is held at knife point, and Rohan is compelled to disclose where Sunny can be found. They escape with Sunny, turning the situation into a direct confrontation.

    When:One night after Sunny's release Where:Rohan's residence

  3. 13

    Sunny pressures Pali; bar confrontation ends with Jassi shot

    Sunny confronts Pali to go after his younger brother Jassi, escalating the threat level. The two head to a bar where Sunny, driving the confrontation, gets drunk and shoots Jassi, escalating the violence and setting up a deadly reckoning.

    When:Evening Where:Bar

  4. 14

    Pali plans escape with Jahaan; he heads toward hospital and Jahaan's home

    After learning more about Kuljinder's deeds, Pali decides to run away with Jahaan. He attempts to escape toward hospital, then veers to Jahaan's home with Sukhi, seeking safety and a possible new life together.

    When:After Jassi shooting Where:On the way to hospital / Jahaan's home

  5. 15

    Final chase ends in crash; Sunny dies; Sukhi killed; Jahaan waits at the airport

    A final chase pits Sunny and Rohan against Pali and Sukhi. The pursuit ends in a crash, leaving Pali wounded and Sukhi dead. Sunny is shot by Pali and dies in Rohan's arms as he tries to help, while Jahaan is seen waiting for Pali at the airport, hinting at an uncertain future.

    When:Final sequence Where:City chase ending at airport

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Taish?

15 characters, among them Jahaan Brar (Sanjeeda Sheikh), Sanobar Brar (Saloni Batra) and Rohan Kalra (Jim Sarbh): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Sanjeeda Sheikh as Jahaan Brar (Sanjeeda Sheikh) in Taish

    Jahaan Brar (Sanjeeda Sheikh)

    Played by Sanjeeda Sheikh

    Jahaan Brar is a spirited figure caught between her love for Pali and a forced marriage to Kuljinder. She resists social norms and hopes for a future with Pali, even when societal pressures push back. Her pregnancy becomes a flashpoint that deepens the family feud.

    • ❤️ Romance
    • 🕊️ Freedom
    • ⚔️ Family conflict
  • SB

    Sanobar Brar (Saloni Batra)

    Played by Saloni Batra

    Sanobar Brar, Jahaan's sister, wields family influence to enforce the clan's rules. She discovers Jahaan's pregnancy and pressures for abortion to protect the family's honor, intensifying the conflict between the two branches. Her actions deepen the feud and the ensuing turmoil.

    • 👥 Family
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Intrigue
    • ⚔️ Feud
  • RK

    Rohan Kalra (Jim Sarbh)

    Played by Jim Sarbh

    Rohan Kalra is a UK-based Indian GP whose relationship with Aarfa is strained by cross-cultural tensions and family loyalties. He navigates a violent web of feuding clans while seeking to protect those he loves. As the violence escalates, he fights to reconcile his past with a future with Aarfa.

    • ❤️ Romance
    • 🏛️ Duty
    • 🧭 Family drama
  • S(

    Shozi (Viraf Patel)

    Played by Viraf Patel

    Shozi is a loyal friend who supports Rohan and Aarfa through the upheaval. He assists in navigating dangerous situations and plays a role in the pursuit of justice and freedom for those targeted by the feud.

    • 🧭 Loyalty
    • 🕊️ Support
    • 🗡️ Conflict
  • KK

    Krish Kalra (Ankur Rathee)

    Played by Ankur Rathee

    Krish Kalra is Rohan's brother whose engagement to Mahi becomes a focal point of the wedding-day crisis. He represents youth caught in the family’s violent code, and his death marks a turning point in the feud.

    • 💑 Engagement
    • 🗡️ Violence
    • ⚰️ Tragedy
  • SL

    Sunny Lalwani (Pulkit Samrat)

    Played by Pulkit Samrat

    Sunny is Rohan's best friend whose actions spark a chain of kidnappings and killings. His pursuit of revenge culminates in a fatal confrontation, making him a catalyst for the story's violence and its emotional toll.

    • 🧭 Friendship
    • ⚔️ Revenge
    • 💔 Tragedy
  • KB

    Kuljinder Brar (Abhimanyu Singh)

    Played by Abhimanyu Singh

    Kuljinder Brar is the crime-family head who forcibly marries Jahaan and uses power to enforce his will. His actions instigate the clan's vendetta and set the stage for a violent confrontation between families.

    • 👊 Power
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Crime
    • ⚖️ Honor
  • PB

    Pali Brar (Harshvardhan Rane)

    Played by Harshvardhan Rane

    Pali Brar, Kuljinder's younger brother, dreams of eloping with Jahaan and starts a cycle of vengeance after learning the truth. He experiences imprisonment, escape, and a relentless pursuit to protect his loved ones.

    • 💔 Forbidden love
    • 🏃‍♂️ Escape
    • ⚔️ Feud
  • AS

    Arfa Sayeed Khan (Kriti Kharbanda)

    Played by Kriti Kharbanda

    Arfa (Aarfa) is Rohan's Pakistani girlfriend who embodies cross-cultural tension. She stands by Rohan through pressures from family and society, ultimately moving toward an engaged future amid turmoil.

    • ❤️ Cross-cultural love
    • 🧭 Loyalty
    • 💍 Engagement
  • GJ

    Gyaan Ji (Sarpanch) (Mahabir Bhullar)

    Played by Mahabir Bhullar

    Gyaan Ji is the Sarpanch, the village head who embodies traditional values and influences community decisions within the Brar clan's orbit. His leadership frames how power is exercised in the local context.

    • 🏛️ Authority
    • 🗺️ Tradition
  • S(

    Sukhi (Saurabh Sachdeva)

    Played by Saurabh Sachdeva

    Sukhi is Pali's loyal friend who becomes entangled in the feud and participates in revenge plans. He faces danger as loyalties blur under pressure, ultimately meeting a fatal end during the pursuit.

    • 🤝 Loyalty
    • ⚔️ Conflict
  • M(

    Mahi (Zoa Morani)

    Played by Zoa Morani

    Mahi is Krish's fiancée whose affair becomes a trigger for the wedding crisis. Her later suicide in Bristol intensifies the tragedy and fuels the characters' reactions to the unfolding chaos.

    • 💔 Tragedy
    • 💍 Wedding crisis
  • RF

    Rohan's Father (Ikhlaq Khan)

    Played by Ikhlaq Khan

    Rohan's father is described as a childhood molester and a friend of Kuljinder. His past abuses influence Sunny's vengeance and shape the emotional landscape of the feud.

    • 👨‍👦 Family history
    • 🕳️ Secrets
  • B(

    Beeji (Kunickaa Sadanand)

    Played by Kunickaa Sadanand

    Beeji is the family elder who embodies tradition and serves as a moral touchstone amid escalating conflict. She represents the weight of family legacy in the Brar clan.

    • 👵 Elder
    • 🧭 Guidance
  • JB

    Jassi Brar (Armaan Khera)

    Played by Armaan Khera

    Jassi Brar is Pali's brother who becomes a target in the feud. His death occurs during the final confrontations, underscoring the personal cost of the families' vendetta.

    • 👨‍👦 Family
    • ⚔️ Targeted violence
Setting

Where and When Is Taish Set?

Taish is set in United Kingdom and Bristol. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

United Kingdom, Bristol

Most of the story unfolds in the United Kingdom, with key scenes around a wedding setting in the UK. Bristol serves as a focal location, notably the site of Mahi's suicide and the climactic chase that follows. The narrative also touches on diasporic community dynamics and cross-border tensions within a crime-family milieu.

  • 🌍 United Kingdom
  • 🏙️ Bristol
  • 🎭 Drama
Themes

What Are the Themes of Taish?

5 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love vs Duty, Cycle of Revenge and Crime & Honor.

  1. 01

    Love vs Duty

    Rohan and Aarfa's relationship is tested by cultural expectations and family obligations. The romance fights against social barriers, including a forced marriage and long-standing clan loyalties. The theme shows how personal love clashes with traditional duties and community norms.

  2. 02

    Cycle of Revenge

    A feud between two branches of a crime-affiliated family triggers a chain of violence. Friends turn enemies, and small acts of retribution escalate into deadly confrontations. The pursuit of vengeance consumes multiple generations and fuels the plot’s twists.

  3. 03

    Crime & Honor

    Kuljinder's criminal enterprise and his control over family affairs drive the conflict. The story explores how honor codes and illicit power collide with personal loyalties. Business and violence blur the line between family duty and criminal ambition.

  4. 04

    Loss & Grief

    Mahi's suicide in Bristol and Krish's death cast a long shadow over the families. The narrative follows how characters cope with bereavement, guilt, and the search for closure. Grief becomes a motivator that pushes characters toward further conflict or reconciliation.

  5. 05

    Justice & Consequences

    Lawsuits, arrests, and strategic escapes underscore the legal fallout of the feud. The pursuit of truth brings temporary relief, and alliances shift as characters face the consequences of their choices. The finale frames justice as a costly, unresolved cycle.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Taish?

Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Dark
Pacing
Fast
Story
Complex
Intensity
High
Ending
Bittersweet

A relentlessly intense and dark revenge drama that propels characters through a fast-paced, violent spiral of betrayal and tragedy, leaving a haunting sense of unresolved conflict and loss.

  • tense
  • oppressive
  • vengeful
  • tragic
  • claustrophobic
  • gripping
  • revenge
  • family feud
  • betrayal
  • crime and punishment

Content notes: murder, suicide, sexual assault (implied child molestation), kidnapping, physical assault resulting in paralysis.

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FAQ

Taish Plot Questions

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

What is Taish about?

In the rolling countryside that borders London, a week of wedding celebrations blooms with color and tradition, only to be shadowed by the presence of an imposing, financially powerful family.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Taish take place?

Taish is set in United Kingdom and Bristol. Most of the story unfolds in the United Kingdom, with key scenes around a wedding setting in the UK. Bristol serves as a focal location, notably the site of Mahi's suicide and the climactic chase that follows.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Taish?

The story follows Jahaan Brar (Sanjeeda Sheikh) (played by Sanjeeda Sheikh), Sanobar Brar (Saloni Batra) (played by Saloni Batra), Rohan Kalra (Jim Sarbh) (played by Jim Sarbh) and Shozi (Viraf Patel) (played by Viraf Patel); the character guide covers 15 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Taish?

The summary picks out 5 themes: Love vs Duty, Cycle of Revenge, Crime & Honor, Loss & Grief and Justice & Consequences.

The themes explained

Who directed Taish?

Taish (2020) was directed by Bejoy Nambiar and runs 2 hours 23 minutes.

Bejoy Nambiar’s films

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