Simran 2017

Praful Patel (Kangana Ranaut), a mid-30’s divorcee living in the US, is struggling to secure her financial independence while being pressured by her parents to remarry. Working as a housemaid for a hotel chain, she’s desperate to break free from her family’s roof and start anew with her own mortgage. However, her credit score remains dismal due to past financial missteps.

Frustration boils over when Praful agrees to accompany her cousin Amber (Aneesha Joshi) to Las Vegas for her bachelor party. The trip becomes a turning point as she meets an Indian acquaintance who teaches her the ins and outs of baccarat, leading to an unexpected windfall of $2,000. Her attraction to Adam (Mark Justice), a charming Californian, takes center stage, but their connection is tempered by his lack of protection.

Praful’s subsequent visits to the casino result in a stunning reversal of fortune: she loses $8,000, including her mortgage funds. The devastating blow prompts her to seek help from her father, who instead insists that she meet Sameer (Sohum Shah), a young Gujrati suitor with whom she eventually connects over several weeks.

As Praful’s relationship with Sameer deepens, so does her inner turmoil regarding marriage. Despite reservations, she agrees to become engaged, only to find herself once more drawn to the allure of gambling. A fateful return trip to Vegas sees her lose even more money, inadvertently incurring a crippling debt of $32,000 from a ruthless loan shark.

Praful’s financial woes worsen as her credit cards begin to decline, and she’s forced to confront the gravity of her situation. Her parents, eager for her to settle down with Sameer, remain oblivious to her mounting troubles. The loan shark’s threats escalate, demanding $50,000 in repayment.

As Praful faces the specter of financial ruin, she must find a way to confide in her father without fear of his retribution or hostility, all while navigating the complexities of her own desires and dependencies.

As Praful’s desperation reaches a boiling point, she finds herself breaking down in tears in front of a gas station attendant, ultimately resorting to stealing from him under the guise of oversized sunglasses and a hood. Her ill-gotten gains amount to a paltry $10,000, but it’s a start.

Inspiration strikes Praful in the form of Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic character Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and she adopts the alias as her own. The “Lipstick Bandit” is born, with her bold robberies leaving behind lipstick notes that have become her signature calling card.

When Praful confides in Sameer about her newfound criminal exploits, he responds with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Meanwhile, Mike Mehndi (Rupinder Nagra), Praful’s manager at the hotel where she works, makes his own move on her, only to be rebuffed with great force.

The loan sharks arrive at the hotel, demanding payment from Praful, who finds herself $8000 short of clearing her debts. Her hidden stash, stored in a locker, has been pilfered by Mike, leaving her suspended from work and facing financial ruin.

As tensions escalate, Praful’s world comes crashing down around her. With no choice but to confront the loan sharks, she learns that they’ve discovered her true identity as “Simran” - and they’re willing to let her join their ranks in exchange for her services. But Praful refuses, opting instead to take a stand against them.

In a surprising twist, Sameer witnesses Praful’s confrontation with the loan sharks and chooses not to abandon her after all. Praful eventually robs the bank that had denied her mortgage application and sets her sights on Las Vegas to pay off her debts once and for all. However, she finds that Sameer has secretly deposited money into her account - funds he had set aside for his own MBA education.

As Praful’s plans are turned upside down, she decides to meet with Sameer to repay him and alter the course of her actions. The mortgage bank subsequently identifies her to the authorities, leading to a high-speed chase as Praful evades capture. Mike Mehndi is arrested in possession of stolen bank funds, bringing his own criminal escapades full circle.

In the end, Praful surrenders to the police and serves a 10-month prison sentence. Upon her release, she parlayed her story into a lucrative Bollywood film deal, walking away with $50,000 - a fitting testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.