Autumn

Set against the backdrop of Kashmir's turmoil, the film opens with a family dealing with the emotional pain of losing a son and the ongoing strife in their region. Rafiq, the son, feels stifled by the violence and hopelessness surrounding his life. The family’s struggles highlight the broader conflict impacting their personal lives and relationships.

Rafiq tries to leave Kashmir by crossing into Pakistan in search of a better life, driven by despair and a desire for freedom. His attempt fails, forcing him to return home disappointed and disillusioned. This event marks a turning point in his understanding of his situation and the ongoing conflict.

After his failed escape, Rafiq comes back to a home filled with a heavy, mournful atmosphere. He is dispirited, lacking motivation and prospects, and spends his days drifting in a haze. The return underscores his sense of entrapment in the ongoing turmoil of Kashmir.

While searching his house during a military raid, Rafiq discovers his brother's old camera containing a half-used roll of film. This discovery sparks his curiosity about his brother and the circumstances of his disappearance. It becomes a catalyst for Rafiq's emotional and investigative journey.

Rafiq develops the camera's film and finds photographs of tourists along with images of a brother and sister. The discovery reveals that Shaheen, the sister, also has a missing brother, deepening Rafiq's connection to her plight. This sharing of loss creates a bond between the two characters.

Rafiq is drawn to Shaheen during a monthly meeting of The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons. In seeing her, he feels a distant, unspoken empathy, recognizing their shared grief for missing loved ones. This encounter begins to shape his emotional perspective and desire for connection.

Rafiq gets a new job as an office boy for a daring press photographer, which allows him to step into the role once held by his brother. This new position gives Rafiq a sense of purpose and helps him come to terms with his brother's absence as he begins to engage more actively with life.

Yusuf, Rafiq's father and a traffic policeman, sinks into darkness due to the ongoing violence and his feelings of impotence. His mental health deteriorates as he struggles to cope with the chaos outside and his perceived inability to protect his family, leading to a profound personal crisis.

Late one night, Rafiq's family receives a visit from Ashraf, a childhood friend who has returned as a militant. His return triggers fear and suspicion within the family, especially for Yusuf, who is paranoid about losing more loved ones amidst the violence and unrest.

As Yusuf wanders out in suspicion, a tense confrontation occurs, culminating in a shootout. During the chaos, a bullet hits Yusuf, symbolizing the tragic consequences of the violence and escalating the family's grief and despair. This event underscores the peril faced by those caught in the ongoing conflict.