Anjaan (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Anjaan is primarily set in Mumbai, with the story unfolding across various urban locations including bars, a taxi station, Karim's house, and a horse race stadium. The film uses these locations to illustrate the widespread reach of the city's underworld. The protagonist Krishna travels from Kanyakumari to Mumbai to locate his estranged brother Raju.

• mumbai
• setting
• locations
• city underworld

Krishna, the protagonist, originates from Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. He journeys to Mumbai specifically to find his elder brother Raju, who has become a notorious figure in the city's criminal underworld. This journey from the southern tip to Mumbai serves as the narrative's starting point.

• kanyakumari
• krishna
• origin
• journey

Anjaan is set in the contemporary present day, with the main narrative unfolding in modern Mumbai. The film uses flashbacks to reveal key moments from the past that shaped the relationships between Raju, Chandru, and other gang members, showing how loyalties and betrayals developed over time.

• time period
• contemporary
• flashbacks
• modern

Anjaan explores three central themes: Revenge drives the plot as Raju seeks vengeance for Chandru's murder and hunts down traitors; Loyalty is tested repeatedly among characters like Raju, Chandru, and Karim, with betrayals from others reshaping the story; Identity plays a key role as Raju assumes the alias Krishna, blurring the lines between who he really is and who he pretends to be.

• themes
• revenge
• loyalty
• identity
• meaning

The revenge theme in Anjaan centers on Raju's quest to avenge his ally Chandru and expose those who betrayed him. This pursuit reshapes relationships and shows the psychological and emotional cost of vengeance on both the pursuer and those around him. The theme explores how revenge can consume and transform a person.

• revenge
• chandru
• vengeance
• cost

Loyalty in Anjaan binds characters like Raju, Chandru, and Karim together, but it is continuously tested by betrayals from others like Amar. The story examines how trust is earned, broken, and sometimes rebuilt in a world where survival depends on alliances. Loyalty becomes a valuable currency that characters barter with and defend at all costs.

• loyalty
• trust
• betrayal
• alliances
• chandru
• karim

The main protagonist is Raju, portrayed by Suriya, who is a powerful gangster in Mumbai's underworld. After surviving attempts on his life, he returns under the alias Krishna to hunt down the traitors responsible for his friend's death. He embodies ruthless pragmatism while navigating loyalty, love, and vengeance.

• raju
• krishna
• protagonist
• suriya
• gangster

Jeeva, played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, is Raju's love interest in Anjaan. Her kidnapping becomes a catalyst that unravels the connection between past and present loyalties. Sheasserts agency within the dangerous situation surrounding her and her presence ties personal affection to the broader underworld conflict.

• jeeva
• samantha ruth prabhu
• love interest
• role

Chandru, played by Vidyut Jammwal, is a powerful and loyal ally and brother-in-arms to Raju within the gang. His murder becomes the catalyst for Raju's quest for vengeance against the traitors. Chandru embodies fearless leadership and is a key figure in the gang's inner circle.

• chandru
• vidyut jammwal
• loyal ally
• death
• vengeance

Imran Bhai, played by Manoj Bajpayee, is the primary antagonist. He is a Dubai-based crime boss who initially praises Raju and Chandru but later insults and threatens them. He orchestrates the alliances and betrayals that intensify the conflict, becoming the main obstacle Raju must confront.

• imran bhai
• manoj bajpayee
• antagonist
• villain
• dubai boss

The identity theme in Anjaan centers on Raju assuming the alias Krishna, which creates a dual existence. This shift drives key plot turns and reveals how disguise can both shield and obstruct truth. The theme explores how characters manage facades to achieve personal goals while questioning what lies beneath the surface.

• identity
• alias
• krishna
• disguise
• dual existence