Year: 2007
Runtime: 145 mins
Language: Telugu
Surya’s police father is killed after arresting a gangster, leaving him to survive alone. He rescues a boy, Jadhav, and together they unite youth, eventually making Surya a feared don with lieutenants Bannerjee and Mathur. He aids the poor and falls for Mathur’s daughter Priya. Their lives are shattered when Pakistani gangster Feroz demands an alliance; Surya’s refusal triggers retaliation that threatens everything.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Don 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Don (2007), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Surya, also known as Suri, begins his story in 1987 by escaping the police after avenging his parents’ murder by taking down the gangster responsible. In his flight, he runs into a drug dealer who exploits young boys to peddle substances. Among the youths, the brave Raghava resists the dealer’s coercion, fearful of drawing police attention. The dealer’s cruelty escalates, targeting him directly, and Surya steps in to stop it by ending the dealer’s life. Moved by Surya’s decisive action, the boy expresses a desire to join him, and soon the others rally around Surya as a tight-knit group of loyal followers, forming a surrogate family built on protection and trust.
Fast forward to 2007, and Surya has evolved into a benevolent don with a golden heart, ruling the underworld of Andhra Pradesh alongside his trusted lieutenant and sworn brother, Raghava. Their leadership blends power with a strange sense of civic duty, as they not only maintain control over the region but also assist the police in dismantling corrupt networks. Into this fragile balance enters Stephen, a ruthless Mumbai-based don determined to push his enterprise into Andhra Pradesh. Stephen’s brutal reputation precedes him: he had previously toppled a rival Goa don, seized the rival’s wife as a concubine, and claimed control of that territory. To map out the local power dynamics, he dispatches his trusted henchman, S. P. Bhushan, to gather intelligence on the state’s dominant players.
Within the police force, no one can pinpoint a traitor, and Bhushan is assigned by the Inspector General of Police (I.G.) to spearhead the case. Bhushan canvasses every influential circle in the state, but most figures reject Stephen’s overtures, save for Seshu—an industrialist in the pharmaceutical sector and a former Surya business partner—who declines the proposition. News of Seshu’s stance reaches Surya, and Bhushan’s move triggers a brutal response: Seshu is killed by Surya’s men. The plot thickens when Bhushan rapes and murders a minister’s daughter whom he encountered during a meeting with the minister. Surya retaliates by killing Bhushan in a pub, and to shield Surya from blame, Raghava and the public spread a story claiming the rape victim acted in self-defense. In time, Surya reveals the full truth about Bhushan, reconciles with the I.G., and urges a thorough cleansing of the force—every officer must be vetted to root out corruption, traitors, or spies. The I.G. seeks forgiveness, and Surya offers his forgiveness in return.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Anthony informs Stephen of Bhushan’s death, making Stephen acutely aware of Surya’s growing power. Stephen insists that Surya come to Mumbai, but Surya’s senior henchman Banerji pushes Stephen to the state instead. In a tense meeting, Surya refuses to align with Stephen and warns him never to set foot in Andhra Pradesh again.
Enraged by this defiance, Stephen launches a series of murderous attempts to eliminate Surya, though his men keep falling. Rathnam, a bitter adversary who seeks revenge on Raghava for the death of his son in a college drug incident (a flashback in the story), shelters Stephen in Hyderabad and launches bomb blasts and attacks against Surya. The mastermind behind the counterattack is finally revealed when Raghava personally kills Rathnam, foiling Stephen’s plans within ninety minutes—long before Stephen’s two-hour deadline to “save” the public.
Romance threads weave through the narrative as Surya gradually falls for Priya, Priya, who initially resents his aura but comes to see the good in him and reciprocates his feelings. Meanwhile, Raghava is drawn to a woman named Nandini, Nandini, who appears to return his affection—only to be revealed later as Stephen’s confidante. The betrayal devastates Raghava, who shoots Nandini and warns Stephen that Surya will bring him down. Stephen answers with vengeance, killing Raghava in return.
The saga culminates in a brutal, rule-breaking duel: Stephen returns Raghava’s corpse and issues a grim challenge to Surya, stipulating that Surya must lose two of his men for every fall he suffers. Enraged and heartbroken, Surya accepts. The ensuing combat is a fierce test of grit and loyalty, as Surya endures losses, including Anthony, and then unleashes a ferocious assault to topple Stephen and his last stand. The wife of Goa’s former don, who has followed the carnage, claps for Surya as she urges him to finish Stephen for the ruin he caused her life. In a decisive finish, Surya overpowers Stephen, avenges Raghava’s death, and imposes a stark warning on Stephen’s remaining henchmen not to follow in his footsteps. With Stephen dead and his rivals scattered, Surya emerges as the unchallenged don of India, guiding the underworld with a blend of strength, justice, and newfound restraint.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore Don 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 Don is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Don with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Don. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like Don 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.
Don (2007) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Don (2007) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Don (2007) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Don – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Don 2 (2011) Movie Recap & Themes
Deva (2025) Movie Recap & Themes
Thamizhan (2002) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Don (2006) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Super (2005) Detailed Story Recap
Indrajeet (1991) Movie Recap & Themes
Saathi (1991) Film Overview & Timeline
Thalapathi (1991) Detailed Story Recap
Don (2022) Story Summary & Characters
Om (1995) Complete Plot Breakdown
Amaanat (1994) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Daava (1997) Film Overview & Timeline
Don’t Give a Damn (1995) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Indian (1996) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Don (1978) Detailed Story Recap