What Is Trishul About?
The premise of Trishul in 349 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling capital of 1970s Delhi, the towering world of construction and commerce forms a glittering backdrop for a story of hidden lineage and unfulfilled promises. Raj Kumar Gupta has built an empire that dominates the skyline, yet the price of his success is a secret that lingers in the shadows—Shanti, his first love, gave birth to a son he never acknowledged. Decades later, the city’s relentless rhythm becomes the stage for a reckoning when Vijay Kumar steps onto the scene, carrying the weight of a past he has never known and a purpose that drives him toward the very heart of his father’s dominion.
Vijay arrives in Delhi with a singular resolve: to dismantle the foundations of the empire that excluded him and to expose the fractures within the powerful family that once turned his back. Possessing a sharp mind and an instinct for the corporate battlefield, he navigates boardrooms and social circles with a blend of charm and calculation. Along the way, he encounters Geeta, a loyal secretary whose integrity and quiet strength hint at alliances that could shift the balance of power, and Sheetal Verma, a confident manager whose own ambitions add another layer to the unfolding contest.
Within the Gupta household, the return of Shekhar, the legitimate heir, and the presence of his sister Kusum introduce a tangled web of sibling rivalry and secret loyalties. Their differing visions for the family business and personal relationships create a volatile mix, setting the stage for confrontations that are as much about identity and belonging as they are about corporate control. The interplay between these characters is charged with unspoken histories and the promise of revelations that could reshape their destinies.
The film unfolds with a grand, dramatic tone, weaving together the opulence of high‑stakes business maneuvers and the raw, emotional pulse of a son seeking his place in a world built without him. It captures the palpable tension of ambition clashing with heritage, inviting the audience to wonder how far a quest for justice will go when family, fortune, and forgiveness are all on the line.
What Happens in Trishul?
The complete story of Trishul, from the first scene to the last, in 680 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 10 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Raj Kumar Gupta, Sanjeev Kumar, abandons his girlfriend Shanti, Waheeda Rehman, to marry Kamini, whose father, Seth Din Dayal, Manmohan Krishna, makes him an equal partner in his business. After Gupta’s marriage, Shanti visits him to convey the news that she is pregnant with his child. She refuses Gupta’s offer of help, realizing that it’s only to soothe his guilty conscience, and she leaves the city. Shanti gives birth to a baby boy named Vijay and raises him as a single mother, determined to build a life for her son on her own terms.
Twenty-five years later, in 1978, Shanti passes away and the adult Vijay, Amitabh Bachchan, arrives in Delhi with a clear motive: revenge. He intends to ruin his father’s business and tear apart the Gupta family’s connections. At the same time, Gupta’s son, Shekhar, Shashi Kapoor, returns from abroad to stake his claim in the family company. Kusum, Kusum “Babli” Gupta, Poonam Dhillon, is his younger sister and also Vijay’s half-sister, and both siblings become entangled in the escalating war of power. Vijay’s path crosses with Geeta, Rakhee Gulzar, the loyal secretary to Gupta, who remains steadfast even as Vijay attempts to win her over with a bribe for information about Gupta’s tender bids. Despite Geeta’s refusals, a bond slowly forms between them, hinting at a complicated alliance.
Vijay’s schemes deepen as he bribes Bhandari, Yunus Parvez, to furnish him with inside details that Geeta cannot provide. Bhandari’s betrayal yields substantial profits for Shanti Constructions, widening the gulf of losses for Gupta’s company. When Gupta sees Vijay and Geeta together, he assumes Geeta has betrayed him and fires her. Vijay, learning of the misunderstanding, exposes Bhandari as the true culprit to Gupta and Shekhar, clearing Geeta’s name and offering her a role at his own company.
With his business acumen rapidly growing, Vijay hosts a lavish second anniversary party for Shanti Constructions and invites Delhi’s elite, pressing Geeta to help him extend influence, especially toward Gupta. At the celebration, he meets Sheetal Verma, Hema Malini, the daughter and general manager of P. L. Verma, who is also Shekhar’s girlfriend. Sheetal becomes a flashpoint in the rivalry as Vijay sows seeds of discord between Shekhar and Sheetal, fueling a broader clash between the families. The conflict intensifies as Gupta and Vijay sharpen their knives in a contest where both are willing to sacrifice wealth and integrity for victory.
Amid the tension, Kusum is encouraged by her lover Ravi to follow her heart, despite her father’s disapproval, and this personal drama further destabilizes the Gupta household. A furious Shekhar confronts Vijay, but Geeta intervenes and reveals a startling truth: Vijay is his older brother, bound to the Gupta family by blood in addition to his quest for vengeance. This revelation forces Shekhar and Kusum to leave their father’s house in shame, while Shekhar asks Vijay to give Kusum away at her wedding as her eldest brother, a gesture that intensifies Gupta’s anger and leads him to hire Balwant Rai, Prem Chopra, to eliminate Vijay.
The confrontation escalates as Vijay confronts Gupta about the past injustice endured by Shanti and his mother, revealing that Shanti has died and that Vijay is his and Shanti’s illegitimate son. Gupta is stunned and attempts to rescind the impending danger, but Balwant and his henchmen have already kidnapped Ravi to reach Vijay. With the help of Shekhar and Gupta, Vijay mounts a daring rescue of Ravi. In the ensuing showdown, Balwant fires at Vijay, but Gupta selflessly steps in and takes the bullet, dying in Vijay’s arms as the police close in on Balwant and his gang.
In the wake of Gupta’s dying plea for forgiveness, Vijay forgives him, and the two families reconcile. The film closes with a reconciled circle of love and ambition as Vijay and Shekhar agree to rebuild their legacy, renaming Vijay’s company Shanti-Raj Constructions in a tribute to the mother who started it all and the brother who stood by him through it. The story remains a sweeping saga of vengeance, forgiveness, and the enduring pull of family ties.
Trishul Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Gupta marries Kamini and abandons Shanti” to “Forgiveness and reunion; Shanti-Raj Constructions”. 10 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Gupta marries Kamini and abandons Shanti
In 1953 Gupta chooses wealth over love, marrying Kamini and becoming a partner in her father's business. He abandons Shanti, leaving her to raise their child alone. Shanti leaves the city with their newborn Vijay, determined to raise him on her own.
When:1953
- 2
Shanti gives birth to Vijay and raises him as a single mother
Shanti gives birth to Vijay and commits to raising him by herself after Gupta's desertion. She refuses Gupta's offer of help, recognizing it as hollow guilt rather than genuine support. Vijay grows up under her care, unaware of his father's wealth and power.
When:1953
- 3
Shanti dies; Vijay arrives in Delhi seeking revenge
Twenty-five years later, Shanti passes away, and an adult Vijay arrives in Delhi with a vow to ruin his father's business and family connections. He makes it his mission to confront Gupta and the life that split their family. The stage is set for a long, personal war between father and son.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
- 4
Shekhar returns from abroad to claim his place
Gupta's son Shekhar returns from abroad to take his place in the family business. He is joined by his sister Kusum, and the siblings become entwined in the brewing family power struggle as Vijay's revenge unfolds.
When:1978
- 5
Vijay meets Geeta; attempts to bribe for tender details
Vijay targets Gupta by trying to bribe Geeta, Gupta's loyal secretary, for confidential tender bids. Geeta refuses the bribe, maintaining her integrity. Despite the initial friction, the two begin to grow closer as trust develops.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
- 6
Bhandari's betrayal boosts Vijay; Gupta's losses
Vijay funds Bhandari to obtain information he couldn't secure from Geeta. Bhandari's treachery yields a windfall for Shanti Constructions and a series of losses for Gupta's company, widening the competitive gap.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
- 7
Gupta fires Geeta; Vijay clears her name and hires her
Gupta suspects Geeta and fires her, but Vijay exposes Bhandari's guilt and clears Geeta's name. He then hires Geeta to work at his own company, shifting loyalties and strengthening his position.
When:1978 Where:Gupta's office
- 8
The second anniversary party; Sheetal Verma enters
Vijay's company celebrates its second anniversary with a lavish party, inviting Delhi's elite, including Gupta. At the event, he meets Sheetal Verma, the daughter and general manager of P. L. Verma, who is also Shekhar's girlfriend, fueling a growing rivalry between Vijay and Gupta.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
- 9
Kusum's marriage plan and Shekhar's confrontation
Vijay pushes Kusum to marry her lover Ravi, provoking a confrontation with Shekhar. Geeta reveals to Shekhar that Vijay is his brother, causing Shekhar and Kusum to leave their father's house in disgrace.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
- 10
Balwant Rai hired to kill Vijay
In a fit of fury, Gupta hires Balwant Rai to eliminate Vijay. The plan sets in motion a dangerous clash between the two families, escalating the vendetta.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
Show the other 3 events of Trishul Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Ravi is abducted; Vijay rescues him
Balwant Rai abducts Ravi to lure Vijay into a trap. With the help of Shekhar and Gupta, Vijay stages a daring rescue, turning the tide of the conflict in his favor.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
- 12
Final confrontation; Gupta sacrifices himself
During the confrontation Balwant shoots at Vijay, but Gupta intervenes and takes the bullet himself, dying in Vijay's arms. The police arrive to arrest Balwant and his henchmen, ending the immediate threat.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
- 13
Forgiveness and reunion; Shanti-Raj Constructions
With his dying breath, Gupta asks for Vijay's forgiveness; Vijay forgives him and unites the family. Vijay and Shekhar rename Vijay's company to Shanti-Raj Constructions, signaling a new beginning for the business and family.
When:1978 Where:Delhi
Who Are the Main Characters in Trishul?
11 characters, among them Shanti (Waheeda Rehman), Vijay Kumar Gupta (Amitabh Bachchan) and Raj Kumar Gupta (Sanjeev Kumar): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 10 of them link to the actor’s page.
-
Shanti (Waheeda Rehman)
Played by Waheeda Rehman
A resilient single mother who raises Vijay after being abandoned by Raj Kumar Gupta. She refuses Gupta's offers to ease guilt and protects her son's future. Her eventual death in 1978 becomes a pivotal moment that fuels Vijay's drive for revenge.
- 💪 Strength
- 👩👧 Motherhood
- 💔 Betrayal
-
Vijay Kumar Gupta (Amitabh Bachchan)
Played by Amitabh Bachchan
A calculating heir who returns to Delhi to demolish his father's business and family network. He builds Shanti Constructions into a formidable empire, using strategic ploys and selective bribes to secure power. His rivalry with Gupta, Shekhar, and Geeta drives the core conflict, culminating in a dramatic father-child revelation and corporate rebranding.
- 💼 Ambition
- 🧠 Calculated
- 👨👦 Family
- RK
Raj Kumar Gupta (Sanjeev Kumar)
Played by Sanjeev Kumar
Patriarch of the Gupta family whose actions catalyze the feud. His choices set off a chain of betrayals and power plays, and he dies after shielding Vijay, a moment that intensifies the family rift and Vijay's quest for advantage.
- 👔 Patriarch
- 💔 Betrayal
- SG
Shekhar Gupta (Shashi Kapoor)
Played by Shashi Kapoor
Gupta's son who returns from abroad to take his place in the family business. He becomes entangled in the escalating rivalry with Vijay and shares a complicated bond with Kusum, as well as a relationship dynamic with Sheetal.
- 👔 Elite
- 🧭 Loyalties
- 👨👦 Brother
- K'
Kusum 'Babli' Gupta (Poonam Dhillon)
Played by Poonam Dhillon
Gupta's daughter who clashes with her father over love and marriage plans, particularly with Ravi. Her defiance and romantic choices add emotional tension to the family saga and fuel cross-generational conflict.
- 💞 Love
- 👩👧 Family
- 👑 Rebellion
- G(
Geeta (Rakhee Gulzar)
Played by Rakhee Gulzar
Loyal secretary to Gupta who refuses Vijay's bribe and is unjustly fired. She later becomes part of Vijay's company, symbolizing shifting allegiances and the blurring of lines between loyalty and ambition.
- 🧭 Loyalty
- 💼 Trust
- 🔎 Integrity
- BR
Balwant Rai (Prem Chopra)
Played by Prem Chopra
A hired killer whose actions escalate the conflict, including kidnapping Ravi. His betrayal and violence serve as a catalyst for the climactic confrontation and Gupta's ultimate attempt at protecting his family.
- 🔪 Violence
- 🕵️♂️ Deceit
- 💥 Danger
- SV
Sheetal Verma (Hema Malini)
Played by Hema Malini
Daughter and general manager of P. L. Verma; Shekhar's girlfriend, whose relationship and status become entangled in the power plays of Delhi's elite. Her presence adds a layer of romance to the corporate rivalry.
- 💼 Power
- 💘 Romance
- 🏛️ Elite
- R(
Ravi (Sachin Pilgaonkar)
Kusum's lover whose romance faces parental opposition. He is kidnapped by Balwant and later rescued in the sequence of the confrontation that threads through the family saga.
- 💫 Love
- 👨👦 Family
- SD
Seth Din Dayal (Manmohan Krishna)
Played by Manmohan Krishna
Kamini's father who enables Gupta by making him an equal partner in his business, setting the stage for the eventual confrontation between Vijay and Gupta.
- 🏢 Business
- 👨👨👧 Family
- MS
Madhav Singh (M. B. Shetty)
Played by M. B. Shetty
A figure within Gupta's circle associated with the machinations surrounding the family business and its security. His presence underlines the reach of Gupta's enterprise.
- 👊 Henchman
- 🕶️ Shadowy
Where and When Is Trishul Set?
Trishul is set in Delhi and India (1953, 1978). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1953, 1978
The story starts in 1953 with Shanti's pregnancy and Gupta's betrayal, then jumps 25 years to 1978 when Vijay returns to seek revenge. This time-split setup highlights how early choices echo through a later, more ruthless corporate landscape.
Where
Delhi, India
The film is set in Delhi, the capital where corporate power, social events, and family drama collide. The city serves as the backdrop for boardroom battles, lavish parties, and the slow unravelling of loyalties within the Gupta and Vijay family circles. Delhi's elite milieu frames the rivalry between ambition, wealth, and revenge across decades.
- 🗺️ City
- 🏙️ Delhi
What Are the Themes of Trishul?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Revenge, Wealth & Power and Family & Forgiveness.
-
01
Revenge
Vijay's return rekindles a personal vendetta that targets his father's empire and family ties. The narrative centers on the cost of vengeance, revealing how far someone will go to settle old scores. Relationships are weaponized, and trust erodes as power becomes the ultimate prize. The story probes whether revenge can ever truly heal a fractured family.
-
02
Wealth & Power
Two rival business houses battle for control of tender bids and contracts, revealing how money reshapes loyalties. The ascent of Shanti Constructions into a corporate powerhouse contrasts with Gupta's aging empire. Bribery, alliances, and strategic moves drive the plot as wealth becomes a tool for domination. The film wields this struggle to critique moral compromises in pursuit of success.
-
03
Family & Forgiveness
The saga centers on kinship across generations, including half-siblings and fractured trust. The revelation of Vijay as Gupta's son reshapes loyalties and forces characters to confront their past actions. Forgiveness is tested as old wounds resurface amid guilt and sacrifices. The conclusion suggests reconciliation can emerge from shared history, even after deep betrayals.
What Kind of Film Is Trishul?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A relentlessly tense and emotionally heavy family saga driven by a son's bitter quest for revenge, featuring high-stakes corporate warfare, explosive confrontations, and a cathartic but bittersweet reconciliation.
- vengeful
- melodramatic
- tense
- confrontational
- grim
- passionate
- revenge
- family secrets
- business rivalry
- illegitimate child
Content notes: kidnapping, parental abandonment, attempted murder.
Quiz
How well do you remember Trishul? Test yourself on the story.
