After witnessing a tumultuous and often acrimonious relationship between his parents, Kishen (played by Akshay Kumar) and Mala Chopra (portrayed by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), Bunty (played by Aditya Roy Kapur) finds himself in a complicated emotional predicament. His father, Kishen, is a practical man with a conservative approach to money, running a restaurant and saving diligently by shopping at wholesale vegetable markets, while his mother, Mala, lives a glamorous, lavish lifestyle, often spending without restraint. Their mutual disrespect and constant bickering dominate the household, making Bunty hesitant to move forward with his own plans for love, notably his desire to marry his girlfriend, Tanya Gonsalves (Sudeepa Singh).
The story takes a fantastical turn when Bunty is introduced to the eccentric Professor Anthony Gonsalves (played by [Randhir Kapoor]), who has invented a time-travel machine. This invention opens the door to incredible adventures, especially when he travels back to Holi 1975 — a period when Mumbai was known as Bombay — and witnesses his parents in their youth. During this trip, Bunty is shocked to discover that his wimpy, buck-toothed father was quite different in his younger days, and his mother was more of a tomboy, quite different from the sophisticated woman he knows.
The story intensifies against the backdrop of a turbulent India marked by Raman Raghav’s terror, the impending Emergency under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the banning of international brands like Coca-Cola, and the rising star power of Rajesh Khanna. The trip is marred by a damaged time machine, leaving Bunty stranded and forcing him to navigate a world filled with political upheaval and social change.
Meanwhile, Kishen and Mala’s relationship is on the verge of collapse. Kishen claims that Mala has squandered Rs 9 crores and 35 lakhs since their marriage, while Mala laments that she has wasted over 12,000 days of her life married to him. Their prolonged disagreements appear insurmountable, heading toward divorce. Amidst their personal struggles, Bunty works to mend the fractured relationship by befriending both and subtly encouraging them to rediscover each other's virtues. He manipulates circumstances to bring them closer, promising Kishen Rs 5000 if he can persuade Mala to share intimacy with him, with Bunty believing Mala has the potential to become an international model if she learns humility and grace.
As their interactions progress, new love interests stir the pot—Kundan (played by Rannvijay Singha), who has been unlucky in love and has given up on romance, begins to fall for Mala after teaming up with her, even as Kundan's intentions threaten to derail Bunty’s plans. Kundan proposes a singing competition, with the winner securing Mala’s love, leading Kishen to impress everyone with his newfound confidence and style after a makeover and some help from Bunty. Kishen’s boldness and changes in behavior finally turn Mala’s head, prompting her to wish for a public proposal that finally cements their feelings.
The family’s longstanding opposition to love marriages seems to be a serious obstacle, especially with Bholi (played by Kiron Kher) and Rai Bahadur Dhyanchand (played by Om Puri), who are against the union. Yet, with Bunty’s interference and manipulation of circumstances, including a daring temple wedding, they eventually accept Kishen and Mala’s love. This climax erupts on the beach, where Kundan, insulted and rejected, is beaten by Kishen before declaring his respect for him and his love for Mala.
The story concludes with Bunty returning to the present, witnessing a joyful and loving Kishen and Mala, now happily married, with Kundan having married Mona (Neha Dhupia), whose relationship with Bunty has also blossomed. Seeing his family in harmony and his plans successful, Bunty mentally proposes to Tanya, ready for his own future adventures.
> As Bunty reflects on the journey, the film underscores the importance of understanding, patience, and the transformations that love and time can bring. It’s a vivid tapestry woven with humor, drama, and a dose of fantasy, set against a richly detailed backdrop of Indian history and culture.
