Bobby

Bobby

Year: 1973

Runtime: 169 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Raj Kapoor

DramaRomance

Raja, an 18‑year‑old heir to a wealthy Bombay business empire, endures the cold neglect of his parents. After graduating, he meets Bobby, a 16‑year‑old Christian fisherman's daughter, and they instantly fall in love. Determined to be together, they must confront the rigid opposition of both families, who cannot accept their union.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Bobby yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Bobby (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bobby (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in a contemporary Indian setting, reflecting urban life and social dynamics. It highlights clashes between wealthy and working-class families, as well as traditional expectations around marriage and reputation. The cityscapes and social norms propel the lovers to navigate family loyalties and personal freedom.

Location

Bombay, Goa, Kashmir

The film moves between bustling Bombay and the coastal Goan hometown of Bobby, with a Kashmir backdrop for dramatic turns. Bombay represents urban social strata where Raj and Bobby's relationship faces pressure, while Goa provides a close-knit, fishing-community setting. Kashmir serves as a dramatic escape where the couple confronts the consequences of their choices.

🏙️ City 🏖️ Coastal town 🗻 Mountain region

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:17

Main Characters – Bobby (1973)

Meet the key characters of Bobby (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Raj Nath (Rishi Kapoor)

A charming, headstrong heir to a wealthy Hindu family who falls in love with Bobby despite social pressures. He stubbornly pursues his relationship, bridging two worlds and challenging his father's plans. His actions drive the central conflict and eventual reconciliation.

💼 Wealth ❤️ Romance 🏛️ Family ⚡ Defiance

Bobby Braganza (Dimple Kapadia)

Daughter of a poor Goan fisherman, she is spirited, loyal, and ready to fight for love. Her relationship with Raj sets off a chain of events that tests loyalties and endangers both families. She ultimately chooses to stand by Raj, even when it means leaving her home.

🌊 Coastal 💖 Romance 🧭 Independence 🛡️ Loyalty

Mr. Ram Nath (Pran Sikand)

A powerful, status-conscious businessman who initially disapproves of Raj and Bobby's union. He pushes for an arranged alliance to cement wealth and influence, underestimating the personal cost of his choices. He experiences remorse and supports the couple only after realizing the harm caused by the feud.

💼 Wealth 🧭 Power 🧱 Tradition ⚖️ Control

Jack Braganza (Prem Nath Malhotra)

Bobby's protective Goan father, a proud fisherman who stands up to Ram Nath's accusations. He values dignity and family integrity, and his confrontation with Ram catalyzes the decision for the lovers to leave Goa. Ultimately, he seeks reconciliation and blessings for the couple.

💪 Family 🐟 Fisherman 🏖️ Coast 🛡️ Protection

Nima (Aruna Irani)

Sushma Nath's dance partner who unexpectedly sympathizes with Raj's predicament. She helps navigate the social pressures around the relationship and supports Raj's attempts to reconcile with Bobby. Her presence adds nuance to the lovers' social circle.

🎭 Social Circle 🤝 Support 🗺️ Guidance

Alka 'Nikki' Sharma (Farida Jalal)

A wealthy heiress chosen for Raj to cement business ties, described as mentally-challenged in the summary. She embodies the class-based matchmaking pressures that threaten Raj and Bobby's romance. Her inclusion sharpens the critique of arranged marriages.

💎 Wealth 🔒 Arranged Marriage 🧩 Constraint

Prem Chopra (Prem Chopra)

A greedy goon who kidnaps Raj and Bobby to claim the reward. He embodies the criminal risks that arise from the feud and adds danger to the lovers' struggle. His arrest marks a turning point toward reconciliation.

🕴️ Villainy 🧨 Crime 🗡️ Danger

Shyam (Raj's college-mate) (Shashi Kiran)

Raj's college-mate who represents the ordinary social circle of young men in Mumbai. He provides a backdrop to Raj's choices and the friends who witness his defiance. His presence helps ground the youthful energy of the film.

👫 Friends 🏫 College Life 🗺️ Urban

Mr. Sharma (Pinchoo Kapoor)

A wealthy father of Nikki who uses business considerations to push for Raj's arranged marriage. He embodies the old-money mindset and the pressure to preserve wealth through strategic alliances.

💰 Wealth 👔 Tradition 🧭 Power

Mrs. Pestonji (Piloo J. Wadia)

A member of the social circle who witnesses the escalating tension between two families. She adds a sense of social etiquette, status, and the consequences of the feud.

🎭 Society 🏛️ Etiquette 🗣️ Gossip

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:17

Major Themes – Bobby (1973)

Explore the central themes of Bobby (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Interclass Romance

Raj and Bobby's love crosses class and religious boundaries, challenging the expectations of their families and society. The relationship tests loyalties, trust, and the willingness to defy social norms for true affection. The film explores how love can bridge divides while exposing the friction between tradition and modernity.

⚖️ Family Feud

Ram Nath and Jack Braganza engage in a bitter feud fueled by misperceptions, pride, and bribes. Their conflict directly threatens the lovers and triggers a sequence of dramatic events, including abduction by a criminal element. A turning point comes when both fathers realize the damage caused by their quarrel and choose reconciliation.

🕊️ Freedom vs. Authority

Youth seek autonomy from parental control and societal expectations. Raj and Bobby's decision to escape and pursue their relationship creates danger but also maturity. The ending emphasizes choosing love and personal happiness over rigid social control, with families ultimately granting blessings.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:17

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about forbidden young love like Bobby

Passionate teenage romances that defy family expectations and societal rules.If you enjoyed the passionate defiance in Bobby, explore more movies about teenage romance fighting against class conflict and family disapproval. These stories capture the intense, dramatic feeling of young love challenging social barriers, often leading to a hopeful resolution.

romanticdramaticdefiantyouthfulmelodramatictensehopefulpassionate

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a clear pattern: two young people from different worlds meet and fall deeply in love. Their union is immediately opposed by their families due to class, religion, or social status. The plot revolves around their rebellion, the escalating tension with their parents, and a climactic moment that forces a resolution, typically affirming the power of their love.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core focus on the melodramatic, passionate experience of first love confronted by external forces. They balance dramatic tension with a fundamentally hopeful outlook, creating an emotionally engaging yet uplifting journey centered on youthful defiance and romantic idealism.

Hopeful dramatic melodramas similar to Bobby

Emotionally charged stories where love and virtue triumph over adversity.For viewers who liked the emotional yet uplifting story of Bobby, this section features similar dramatic melodramas. These movies balance serious themes and tense family conflicts with a fundamentally hopeful tone and a harmonious, happy ending that rewards the characters' struggles.

melodramatichopefulemotionaldramaticheartwarmingtensepassionateuplifting

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a virtuous protagonist facing significant hardship or injustice. The story builds through a series of dramatic, emotionally charged events that test the characters' resolve. A near-tragic climax often serves as a turning point, leading to a cathartic resolution where misunderstandings are cleared, villains are reformed, and love is victorious, reinforcing a moral order.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique blend of high drama and positive resolution. They share a specific emotional mix: they engage viewers with serious stakes and tense moments but are ultimately designed to be heartwarming and affirming, providing a comforting and satisfying cinematic experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Bobby

Don't stop at just watching — explore Bobby in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bobby is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bobby Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bobby, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Bobby Summary

Bobby Timeline

Track the full timeline of Bobby with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Bobby Timeline

Bobby Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Bobby that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Bobby Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Bobby

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bobby: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Bobby

Similar Movies to Bobby

Discover movies like Bobby that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.