Dear Friend

Dear Friend

Year: 2022

Runtime: 117 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Vineeth Kumar

Echo Score: 69
DramaMysteryComedyRomance

Five close friends—Vinod, Shyam, Arjun, Sajith, and Jannath—share a vibrant life in Bengaluru, filled with laughter, shared meals, and lively parties. Their strong bond is tested when they engage in playful, sometimes mischievous pranks, such as surprising a friend with a humorous costume and a night out. The story explores whether these lighthearted jokes will remain good-natured or escalate into something more significant, potentially straining their friendship.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dear Friend 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 – Dear Friend (2022)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dear Friend (2022). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Mumbai

Mumbai, India serves as the bustling backdrop for the group's nightlife, friendships, and ambitions. The crowded streets, clubs, clinics, and courts frame the social pressures and opportunities they navigate. The city’s energetic mood amplifies the mix of joy, secrecy, and tension that drives the story.

🏙️ Mumbai 🎭 Urban drama

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:06

Main Characters – Dear Friend (2022)

Meet the key characters of Dear Friend (2022), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vinod Viswanathan (Tovino Thomas)

A charismatic but secretive friend who conceals a troubled past. His bravado masks an ache from his mother's death and a deep need for belonging, driving him to lies that threaten the group’s trust. His emotional journey unfolds as his carefully constructed lies collide with reality.

🎭 Charmer 🕵️ Secret-keeper

Jannath Ali (Darshana Rajendran)

Jannath struggles with her conservative father and pursues love with Arjun, even choosing a courthouse wedding. Her determination to follow her heart contrasts with her family's expectations, making her a stabilizing voice within the group. She seeks mutual understanding and a sense of belonging.

🎭 Rebellious 💑 Lover

Arjun (Arjun Lal)

Arjun is devoted to Jannath and part of the startup effort the friends pursue. He balances romance with responsibility, hoping to secure backing for their health app while staying true to his values. His loyalty is tested as lies reframe trust within the group.

💼 Entrepreneur 🎭 Loyal

Shyam (Arjun Radhakrishnan)

From a well-off family, Shyam wants to chart his own path rather than join the family pub business. His independence clashes with family expectations, adding tension but also motivation to redefine his future.

💬 Privilege 🎯 Individuality

Sajith (Basil Joseph)

Sajith comes from a financially struggling family and faces social and linguistic barriers in job interviews. His perseverance and practical optimism help him secure a better future, highlighting resilience amid hardship.

💪 Resilience 🌐 Language barrier

Amudha (Sanchana Natarajan)

Amudha harbors secret feelings for Vinod and follows him through the night of unrest. Her quiet loyalty and longing add emotional depth to the group dynamics as truths come to light.

💖 Unrequited love 🕊️ Loyalty

Father of Jannath (Jaffer Idukki)

A conservative patriarch whose disapproval of Jannath’s relationship with Arjun drives the couple toward a courthouse wedding. He embodies traditional expectations that complicate the couple’s pursuit of happiness.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family pressure 🧭 Traditional values

Vinod's Mother (Rekha)

Vinod’s mother is revealed to be alive, complicating the protagonist’s narrative of loss and memory. Her presence rekindles questions about Vinod’s past and his true identity.

🫂 Mother figure 🧩 Hidden truth

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:06

Major Themes – Dear Friend (2022)

Explore the central themes of Dear Friend (2022), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

Friends bound by shared dreams face tests of loyalty when truth and lies unravel. The group’s dynamics shift as personal secrets surface, forcing them to confront trust, forgiveness, and the cost of protecting one another. Their bond persists even as misunderstandings threaten to pull them apart.

🕵️ Deception

Vinod’s fibs about his past and his mother’s supposed death drive the central mystery and misperceptions. The discovery of lies triggers a cascading effect, forcing each character to re-evaluate who they think Vinod is. The tension comes from ambiguity and the fear of being used or betrayed by a friend.

👪 Family

Family expectations, parental judgment, and unresolved grief shape characters’ choices and relationships. The revelation about Vinod’s mother and the effort to connect with loved ones highlight the longing for belonging. Through weddings, births, and reconciliations, the film frames family as both a source of support and pressure.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:06

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Dear Friend

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dear Friend 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 Dear Friend is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dear Friend Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dear Friend, 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.

Dear Friend Summary

Dear Friend Timeline

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

Dear Friend Timeline

Dear Friend Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Dear Friend 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.

Dear Friend Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dear Friend

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dear Friend: 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 Dear Friend

Similar Movies to Dear Friend

Discover movies like Dear Friend 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.