D-Day 2013

Under the watchful eye of Chief Ashwini Rao (Nassar), the unassuming Agent Wali Khan (Irrfan Khan) has been embedded as a local barber for an astonishing nine years, covertly monitoring the movements of India’s most notorious fugitive, Goldman (Rishi Kapoor). With his cover in place, Wali Khan has skillfully maintained a low profile, allowing him to gather crucial intel on Goldman’s activities. The mission takes a significant turn when Wali Khan stumbles upon a seemingly innocuous conversation between Goldman and individuals at the mosque where he prays. This chance discovery reveals that Goldman is planning to attend his son’s wedding, deliberately deviating from his usual security protocols. Confirming this finding is an unsuspecting ISI operative, who doubles as Goldman’s bodyguard and neighbor, and shares a cordial relationship with Wali Khan - unaware of the latter’s connection to Indian Intelligence.

Recognizing a golden opportunity to apprehend Goldman alive, Wali Khan swiftly reports back to Ashwini Rao, prompting the chief to assemble a diverse team to capitalize on this chance. The ensemble includes former Indian Army officer and mercenary, Rudra Pratap Singh (Arjun Rampal), RAW’s expert in explosives, Zoya Rehman (Huma Qureshi), and Aslam, a skilled thief and murderer from Mumbai, who has been granted freedom as an incentive to participate in this mission. With their unique skill sets and Wali Khan’s insider knowledge, the team readies itself for a high-stakes operation that will push their abilities to the limit.

As Wali watches his family depart for London on the day of the wedding, he makes the heart-wrenching decision to stage their demise, hoping to shield them from harm’s way and join them once his mission is accomplished. With a heavy heart, he orchestrates a convincing cover-up, but fate has other plans. When all flights to Europe are unexpectedly cancelled, Wali’s wife and son find themselves stranded at the airport, leaving him frantic with worry. As the hours tick by, her desperation turns to despair as she learns that their home is engulfed in flames and Wali remains unreachable.

In a shocking turn of events, the airport security personnel discovers three bodies recovered from the scene, casting suspicion on the cover-up. The authorities summon the ISI, sparking a chain reaction that puts Zoya and Kabir under scrutiny. As they’re questioned, Kabir’s possession of pencils from Goldman’s son’s wedding venue raises red flags, revealing Wali’s true identity as an operative seeking to capture Goldman.

The ISI springs into action, alerting their counterparts at the wedding, thereby foiling Wali, Rudra, Zoya, and Aslam’s meticulously planned operation. Goldman slips away unharmed, leaving the four agents forced to go into hiding. The Indian government’s embarrassment over their failed mission leads them to disavow these operatives, with only Ashwini standing by their side – a loyalty that ultimately forces him to resign.

As Aslam is captured and brutally tortured by Goldman’s nephew while attempting to escape through the Karachi docks, Rudra seizes the opportunity to exact revenge on Suraiya’s murderer. The revelation that Wali’s wife has perished and his son is in ISI custody galvanizes the four agents, who decide to find a way to complete their mission despite the government’s abandonment of them.

As Wali’s loyalties are called into question, the ISI deems him a liability and makes plans to eliminate him. However, four RAW agents intervene, neutralizing the ISI threat and capturing Goldman in the process. Wali, torn between his mission and personal demons, receives a cryptic message from Goldman claiming that his wife and child are still alive, dangling the possibility of reunion. This revelation creates an internal conflict within Wali, culminating in him taking control by shooting Rudra and commandeering the group. Ashwini coordinates their escape route out of Pakistan, instructing them to converge at Checkpost 35 by 6:00 a.m.

Meanwhile, Wali orchestrates a clandestine meeting with the ISI, proposing an exchange of Goldman for his loved ones. As he departs with Goldman in tow, he leaves Rudra and Zoya behind, bound and disarmed. Zoya subsequently frees Rudra, and together they pursue Wali’s ill-fated trajectory.

Wali’s fate is sealed as he drives to Checkpost 40, unaware that Pakistani forces have been manipulating the situation all along. His wife and child, presumed alive by Wali, are actually deceased, a bitter truth revealed only after his demise. A post-mortem examination of Wali’s vehicle reveals that Goldman was never intended to be part of the exchange; instead, Wali had anticipated betrayal and left Goldman in a separate car driven by Zoya and Rudra.

Through a series of flashbacks, it becomes clear that Wali and Rudra had concocted a plan to gain Goldman’s cooperation. By feigning his wife and child’s existence, they hoped to distract Goldman long enough for Rudra and Zoya to escort him across the border into India. The Pakistani forces, oblivious to Wali’s true intentions, give chase to Rudra and Zoya before ultimately facilitating Goldman’s safe passage.

Upon entering Indian territory, Ashwini awaits their arrival. However, just as it seems they have succeeded in their mission, Goldman taunts them with a chilling revelation: nothing has changed in India, and he will soon be released, allowing him to resume his criminal activities. Rudra silences Goldman once and for all, symbolizing the dawn of a new era in India.