Kapoor and Sons 2016
Directed by
Shakun Batra
Made by
Fox STAR Studios
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Kapoor and Sons (2016). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Estranged brothers Rahul (Fawad Afzal Khan) and Arjun (Sidharth Malhotra) find themselves drawn back to their childhood home in Coonoor when their elderly grandfather Amarjeet (Rishi Kapoor) suffers a heart attack. As they gather under one roof, their parents, Harsh (Rajat Kapoor) and Sunita Kapoor (Ratna Pathak), are also enveloped in their own marital strife.
Rahul, a successful writer based in London, carries the burden of expectations as the family’s golden child, while Arjun, a struggling New Jersey bartender, grapples with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. The stark contrast in their lives is only magnified when Arjun discovers that his childhood room has been transformed into a storage space, unlike Rahul’s room, preserved untouched. Tension brews as Arjun confronts Harsh about his disapproval of Arjun’s career choices, as Harsh insists that Arjun should listen to him.
Meanwhile, the brothers’ parents are dealing with their own complicated issues. Sunita dreams of starting her own catering business, but Harsh’s refusal to support her leads to a heated conflict when Sunita uncovers the truth about Harsh’s old affair. The family’s shared concerns come to a head as they attempt to meet Amarjeet’s request to be buried with his comrades and to take a family photo—“Kapoor & Sons, since 1921”—on his 90th birthday, which is just around the corner.
As the brothers navigate family tensions, Arjun reestablishes a connection with his old friend Wasim (Sukant Goel) and meets Tia Malik (Alia Bhatt), who quickly captures his interest. Their budding romance, however, becomes complicated when Rahul also develops feelings for Tia after they share an adventurous night out, illuminating the complexities of love and loyalty among family ties.
Amarjeet’s health continues to deteriorate, leading to tough financial discussions about his medical treatment, sparking further strife between Harsh and Sunita over their financial decisions. Arjun’s discovery that Rahul was reading his unfinished manuscript ignites a passionate confrontation, revealing deep-rooted issues between the brothers about their personal and professional lives.
As Amarjeet’s birthday celebration unfolds, the family reunion spirals into chaos with the unexpected arrival of Harsh’s mistress. Tensions rise, reframing relationships as painful secrets come to light, pushing family bonds to their limits.
Despite the fallout, the brothers ultimately find common ground as they fulfill their grandfather’s final wish for a family photo. In doing so, they confront their past mistakes, mend their relationship, and begin to heal. In a touching conclusion, they learn to embrace their complexities as a family, culminating in “Kapoor & Sons, since 1921” becoming more than just a title, but a testament to love, understanding, and unity amidst life’s challenges.
Timeline
Track the key events of Kapoor and Sons (2016) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Brothers Reunite
Estranged brothers Rahul and Arjun return to their childhood home in Coonoor after their grandfather, Amarjeet, suffers a heart attack. This reunion sets the stage for long-standing family tensions to resurface as they confront their shared past.
Rahul's Success vs. Arjun's Struggles
Rahul, thriving as a writer in London, is viewed as the family's golden child, while Arjun toils as a bartender in New Jersey, battling feelings of inadequacy. The stark contrast in their lives fosters jealousy and discomfort during their family reunion.
Childhood Room Disparity
Arjun discovers that his childhood room has been transformed into a storage space while Rahul's room remains untouched, highlighting the familial favoritism. This revelation intensifies the existing brotherly tensions as Arjun feels overlooked.
Confrontation with Parents
Tensions escalate when Arjun confronts his father, Harsh, over his disapproval of Arjun's career choices. The argument brings to light the different expectations and pressures imposed on each brother, particularly towards Arjun's pursuits.
Sunita's Dream
Sunita, feeling stifled by her husband Harsh’s lack of support, dreams of starting her own catering business. This ambition clashes with Harsh's controlling nature, leading to a heated conflict when she discovers his past affair.
Amarjeet's Last Wishes
As the family grapples with Amarjeet's declining health, they are reminded of his final wishes: to be buried with his comrades and to take a family photo on his 90th birthday. These requests create both urgency and dread among the family members.
Old Connections
Amid the family turmoil, Arjun reconnects with his childhood friend Wasim and meets Tia, a captivating woman who piques his interest. Their blossoming romance is soon complicated by the emotional and familial ties binding both brothers.
Rivalry Over Tia
After a fun night out, both brothers develop feelings for Tia, causing a rift between them. Their shared interest in her complicates their bond further, unearthing deeper issues of loyalty and rivalry that stem from their past.
Financial Strains
Amarjeet's worsening health leads to essential financial discussions regarding his medical treatment. This situation ignites further conflict between Harsh and Sunita, exposing their differing views on handling finances within the family.
Manuscript Discovery
Arjun learns that Rahul has been reading his unfinished manuscript, leading to a fiery confrontation. This incident reveals the underlying professional envy and personal insecurities that have long existed between the brothers.
Chaos at the Birthday Celebration
During Amarjeet’s birthday celebration, the family’s issues erupt when Harsh's mistress unexpectedly arrives. This revelation leads to chaos and forces hidden truths and painful secrets to be aired in front of the entire family.
Final Family Photo
In an effort to honor Amarjeet's last wish, the brothers come together to take a family photo titled 'Kapoor & Sons, since 1921.' This moment of unity allows them to confront their past mistakes and begin the healing process.
Reconnection and Growth
Despite the chaos, the brothers ultimately find common ground, mending their relationship and learning to embrace their complexities as a family. Their journey signifies a deeper understanding of love, loyalty, and the importance of family ties.
A Testament to Family
The final moments echo the theme of unity amidst life's challenges. 'Kapoor & Sons, since 1921' evolves from being just a title to a profound testament to resilience, love, and the intricate bond shared within the family.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Kapoor and Sons (2016) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Rahul Kapoor
Rahul, portrayed as the golden child of the Kapoor family, struggles under the weight of expectations as a successful writer. His character embodies the pressure to succeed while dealing with familial conflicts, particularly with his brother Arjun. Despite his accomplishments, Rahul's vulnerability surfaces as he grapples with personal insecurities and complicated relationships.
Arjun Kapoor
Arjun is the younger brother who finds himself overshadowed by Rahul's achievements as he navigates feelings of inadequacy. A struggling bartender, Arjun's character brings forth themes of jealousy and identity crisis, ultimately leading him on a journey of self-discovery as he reconciles with his family's dynamics and his ambitions.
Amarjeet Kapoor
Amarjeet, the family patriarch, is portrayed as a loving yet conflicted grandfather whose declining health brings the family together. His character represents the family's roots and their shared history, serving as a catalyst for confronting long-standing issues during the family reunion. His final wishes inspire both conflict and connection among family members.
Sunita Kapoor
Sunita, the boys’ mother, grapples with her own unfulfilled dreams and strained marriage. Her desire to pursue her passions leads to disagreements with her husband, illustrating the theme of personal aspirations versus familial obligations. As conflicts arise, Sunita represents the voice of a woman striving for independence within a traditional family structure.
Tia Malik
Tia is a close friend of Arjun who becomes a love interest for both brothers, introducing a romantic tension into the family dynamics. Her character challenges traditional notions of loyalty and affection, representing the entanglement of familial love and budding romance. Tia catalyzes important emotional revelations for both Rahul and Arjun.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Kapoor and Sons (2016), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The events of 'Kapoor and Sons' unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern family dynamics and the challenges they face. This current setting highlights issues such as marital strife, sibling rivalry, and the impact of familial expectations on individual aspirations.
Location
Coonoor
Coonoor is a serene hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, India, known for its lush tea gardens and stunning views. It serves as a nostalgic backdrop for the Kapoor family, symbolizing their childhood and unresolved tensions. The quaint surroundings add to the emotional depth of the brothers' reunion as they confront their past.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Kapoor and Sons (2016). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Family Dynamics
The film delves into the complexities of family relationships, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal. As the brothers confront their differences, the struggle for acceptance and understanding becomes central to their character arcs. The family's turbulent history serves as a backdrop for their eventual reconciliation.
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Personal Growth
Throughout the movie, both Rahul and Arjun experience significant personal growth as they face their insecurities and familial expectations. The journey to self-acceptance is pivotal as they learn valuable lessons about forgiveness, understanding, and emotional resilience amidst their struggles.
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Legacy
The concept of legacy is a recurring theme, particularly through Amarjeet's wish for a family photo. This desire not only emphasizes the importance of familial ties but also serves as a reminder of the family's history and the need to honor their past while moving forward together.
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