Ghajini

Set in the early 2000s, the narrative is anchored by diary entries dated 2002 and 2003 that chronicle Sanjay's memories and Kalpana's past. The memory-loss mechanism (memory resets every 15 minutes) drives the plot forward as the protagonist pieces his life together.

Chennai serves as the film's core setting, reflecting a bustling urban landscape tied to business and crime. The story also moves through Kolkata's social circles and Mumbai's modeling/trafficking backdrop, illustrating the geographic scope of Kalpana's past and Sanjay's pursuit. The cities together create a contrast between affluence and crime, highlighting modern urban India's dual nature.

🧠 Memory & Identity

Sanjay's anterograde amnesia drives the story, forcing him to reconstruct his life with photos, notes, and tattoos. The unreliable memory creates questions of who Sanjay really is and what truth can be recovered. The search for memory becomes a broader quest for identity and meaning within a city of secrets.

🗡️ Revenge

The film centers on Sanjay's pursuit of vengeance for Kalpana's death, as he systematically targets those connected to the trafficking network. Violence is presented as a means to confer justice, yet it blurs moral lines and invites questions about right and wrong. The narrative uses suspense to explore the costs of seeking personal justice.

🚨 Trafficking

Kalpana's past and Lakshman's network reveal a broader crime ecosystem exploiting vulnerable girls. The story exposes the scale of trafficking across cities and the dangers faced by those who try to expose or resist it. It presents a social backdrop against which individual acts of courage and tragedy unfold.