Cash (2007) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

DJ meets Rhea on a plane

Dhananjay 'Danny' Jhumbevalkar, known as DJ, meets Rhea (Preeti) aboard an airplane and they quickly strike up a friendship. Their conversation reveals a curiosity about stories and legends, setting the stage for the diamond tale DJ will tell. The encounter anchors the narrative in the present while the rest of the story unfolds as his past recollections.

Where

On an airplane

1836: Diamond discovered by a South Indian miner

A South Indian miner discovers a diamond in 1836 and presents it to his king. This marks the gem's entry into royal hands and the beginning of its long journey. The discovery becomes the seed of a story that travels across continents and eras.

When

1836

Where

South India

King gifts diamond to the British viceroy

The Indian king gifts the diamond to a British viceroy, transferring it from local sovereignty to the hands of the colonial administration. The diamond's prestige grows as it moves into imperial circles. This exchange ties the gem to a global power dynamic.

Where

India

Viceroy's ship sinks en route to Britain

On a sea voyage to Britain, the viceroy's ship sinks, and the diamond is lost among the chaos of the sinking vessel. The loss creates a void in the gem's chain of custody and sets the stage for future legends and recoveries. The disaster underscores how fragile ownership can be across oceans.

Where

Sea voyage to Britain

1936: Fisherman finds the diamond after 100 years

A fisherman discovers the diamond about a century after its voyage began, finding it in the course of his fishing. He proudly presents the gem to his master, initiating a new chapter in its elusive history. The find marks the first modern connection to the artifact after its long journey through kings and viceroys.

When

1936

Fisherman hands the diamond to his master

The fisherman passes the diamond to his master, transferring possession within the local hierarchy. This transfer embeds the gem more deeply into a private collection and begins its path toward eventual international intrigue. The master’s ownership makes the diamond part of a new chain of custody.

Master splits diamond into three pieces for three sons

The master breaks the diamond into three pieces and distributes them among his three sons. The fragmentation creates separate destinies for the gem and ensures its legend survives through different families. Each piece now carries the potential for loss or discovery.

First son loses his piece gambling

The eldest son gambles away his portion of the diamond, losing not only a treasured object but a family lineage's fortune. The loss marks the first fracture in the gem’s lineage and foreshadows further misfortune. The piece's whereabouts become a mystery escalating the gem’s legend.

Second son loses his piece to a general

The second son loses his share to a general, further eroding the chain of custody and spreading the diamond’s fate across new hands. The general’s possession shifts the gem toward the corridors of power and conflict. The diamond’s journey continues to be defined by misfortune and rivalry.

Third brother murdered, piece goes missing

The third brother is murdered, and his piece disappears in the chaos. The gem becomes divided not only by distance but by lethal events, making recovery increasingly difficult. The loss cements the diamond's reputation as something coveted and dangerous.

1994: Two diamonds recovered and housed in Belgium museum

In 1994, two of the three pieces are recovered and housed in a Belgium museum, where they become publicly accessible as part of a curated collection. The discovery marks a rare moment of reunification after nearly two centuries. The third piece remains missing, fueling ongoing intrigue.

When

1994

Where

Belgium museum

Third diamond's location remains unknown; dealer contacts Shanaya

The location of the third diamond remains unknown until a Gujarati diamond dealer makes a call to Shanaya, a security manager for the South Africa High Commission. This contact hints at a global network seeking to locate the final piece. The mystery persists as new actors become involved in the chase.

Where

South Africa

Goons steal the diamond from the dealer in a preplanned car accident

The dealer loses the diamond when goons stage a preplanned car accident and seize the gem. The theft underscores the diamond's perilous status and the criminals' readiness to exploit vulnerabilities in transit. The incident pushes the search for the final piece into a more dangerous territory.

Uncle enlists Angad to steal two diamonds from the Belgian museum

The Uncle, a seasoned diamond thief, arranges for his goon Angad to steal two diamonds from the Belgian museum. The plan ties together the earlier events in a climactic attempt to reclaim or recover the missing pieces. The museum heist escalates the saga to its most dramatic moment.

Where

Belgian museum