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Ittefaq (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Ittefaq (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 105 min · Hindi
Echo score 78
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Directed by
Abhay Chopra
Starring
Pavail Gulati, Mir Sarwar, Himanshu Kohli, Mandira Bedi, Sonakshi Sinha, Ajay Jadhav
Budget
$290M

A celebrated writer and an unsuspecting homemaker become the prime suspects in a double murder investigation. Detective Dev must unravel the conflicting accounts of Vikram and Maya to determine the truth behind the killings. As he delves deeper into the case, he finds himself increasingly entangled in a complex web of deception and must discern which version of events is accurate.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Ittefaq
  8. 8 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Ittefaq Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Ittefaq (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Vikram Sethi (Sidharth Malhotra)

    Vikram is a prominent writer grappling with a personal tragedy as he navigates the fallout of his wife's murder. His character oscillates between victim and perpetrator, making his motivations ambiguous and complex. As the plot thickens, Vikram's manipulative behavior reveals a darker side, culminating in a shocking confession.

    • 📖 Writer
    • 😔 Grief
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Deceptive
  • Maya Sinha (Sonakshi Sinha)

    Maya is portrayed as a conflicted homemaker who finds herself entwined in a web of lies and deceit. Throughout the film, her character shifts from an innocent bystander to someone deeply involved in the escalating drama. Maya's desperate attempts to protect her lover showcase her complexity and willingness to navigate through moral challenges.

    • 🏠 Homemaker
    • 💔 Betrayal
    • ⚠️ Tension
  • Detective Dev Verma (Akshaye Khanna)

    Detective Dev is the astute investigator assigned to untangle the web of the double homicide. He embodies integrity and a relentless pursuit of truth, navigating through the lies presented by both Vikram and Maya. His character represents the moral compass in the film, as he gradually uncovers the layers of deception, ultimately leading to a shocking revelation.

    • 🕵️ Detective
    • 🔍 Investigation
    • ⚖️ Justice

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:11

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Setting

Where and When Does Ittefaq Take Place?

The setting of Ittefaq (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, capturing the present-day socio-cultural dynamics of urban India. It reflects on modern issues such as crime, love, and betrayal, while also exploring the consequences of past actions and secrets in the context of today's societal landscape.

Location

Mumbai

Mumbai is a bustling metropolis and the financial capital of India, known for its vibrant culture and dynamic nightlife. The city is famous for its film industry, Bollywood, and is a significant hub for literature and arts. In 'Ittefaq', the city serves as a backdrop for a thrilling murder investigation that juxtaposes its glamorous façade with dark undercurrents.

  • 🌆 City
  • 📚 Literature

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:11

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3 major themes

Ittefaq Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Ittefaq (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Suspense

    The film intricately weaves suspense throughout its narrative, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. Every twist and revelation keeps the audience on edge, compelling them to piece together the puzzle of the dual homicides. It highlights the psychological depth of the characters as they navigate through fear and deception.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal is a central theme in 'Ittefaq', where relationships are tested amidst deceit and infidelity. Characters engage in manipulative tactics to protect their own interests, showcasing how trust can be shattered in moments of crisis. This theme resonates deeply as it reveals the tragic consequences of personal conflicts.

  • Crime

    Set against the backdrop of a murder investigation, crime is an ever-present theme in the story. The narrative explores the complexities of the justice system as characters wrestle with morality and accountability. The evolution of the investigation reveals the darker side of human nature and the extent individuals will go to escape repercussions.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:11

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Character & theme questions

Ittefaq Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Ittefaq (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Ittefaq set?

Ittefaq is set in Mumbai, India's financial capital and a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture, dynamic nightlife, and Bollywood film industry. The city serves as both a glamorous backdrop and a contrasting element to the dark undercurrents of the murder investigation at the heart of the story.

  • mumbai setting
  • bombay
  • bombay cinema
  • city location
Q2

When does Ittefaq take place?

Ittefaq unfolds in a contemporary, present-day setting, reflecting modern urban India's socio-cultural dynamics. The story deals with current issues like crime, love, and betrayal, exploring how past actions and secrets impact characters within today's societal landscape.

  • time period
  • modern
  • mumbai 2017
  • present day
Q3

What is the main theme of Ittefaq?

Suspense is the dominant theme in Ittefaq, with the film intricately weaving tension and uncertainty throughout its narrative. Every twist and revelation keeps audiences on edge, compelling them to piece together the puzzle of the dual homicides while exploring the psychological depth of characters navigating fear and deception.

  • suspense
  • thriller
  • mystery
  • twists
  • psychological
Q4

How does betrayal feature in Ittefaq?

Betrayal serves as a central theme in Ittefaq, testing relationships amidst widespread deceit and infidelity. Characters employ manipulative tactics to protect their own interests, showing how trust can be shattered in moments of crisis. The theme reveals the tragic consequences of personal conflicts and emotional manipulation.

  • betrayal
  • deception
  • trust
  • relationships
  • infidelity
Q5

What role does crime play in Ittefaq?

Crime is an ever-present theme in Ittefaq, anchored by a murder investigation that explores the complexities of the justice system. Characters grapple with morality and accountability as the investigation progresses, revealing the darker side of human nature and the extent individuals will go to escape repercussions.

  • crime
  • murder investigation
  • justice
  • legal system
  • morality
Q6

Who is Vikram Sethi in Ittefaq?

Vikram Sethi, played by Sidharth Malhotra, is a celebrated writer who becomes the prime suspect in his wife's murder. His character oscillates between victim and perpetrator, with ambiguous motivations that keep both Detective Dev and the audience questioning his true role in the events.

  • vikram sethi
  • sidharth malhotra
  • writer
  • suspect
Q7

Who is Maya Sinha in Ittefaq?

Maya Sinha, portrayed by Sonakshi Sinha, is a conflicted homemaker who finds herself entangled in the murder investigation. Her character shifts from appearing as an innocent bystander to someone deeply involved in the escalating drama, with desperate attempts to protect her lover revealing complex moral challenges.

  • maya sinha
  • sonakshi sinha
  • homemaker
  • suspect
Q8

Who is Detective Dev Verma in Ittefaq?

Detective Dev Verma, played by Akshaye Khanna, is the investigator assigned to solve the double homicide. He represents the moral compass of the film, embodying integrity and a relentless pursuit of truth as he navigates through the lies presented by both Vikram and Maya, gradually uncovering layers of deception.

  • detective dev
  • akshaye khanna
  • investigator
  • police
  • moral compass
Q9

How does Ittefaq use unreliable narration?

Ittefaq employs unreliable narration through two conflicting accounts of the same events, presented by Vikram and Maya. This narrative technique creates high complexity, requiring the audience to actively question each character's version of events and piece together which version represents the truth.

  • unreliable narrator
  • dual perspective
  • conflicting accounts
  • story structure
Q10

What is the tone and ending of Ittefaq like?

Ittefaq maintains a consistently tense tone driven by uncertainty, deception, and the threat of injustice. The ending is bleak, with the villain successfully escaping consequences through clever manipulation, creating a sense of unease and intellectual engagement rather than emotional catharsis.

  • ending
  • finale
  • conclusion
  • bleak
  • no justice
  • tone

Movie threads

More Movies Like Ittefaq, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Ittefaq tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Thrillers with Unreliable Narrators like Ittefaq

Investigation stories where the truth is buried beneath conflicting personal accounts. If you enjoyed deciphering the mystery in Ittefaq, you'll like these movies. They feature conflicting accounts, manipulative characters, and investigations where the truth is the final puzzle piece. Discover similar crime stories that challenge your perception and reward close attention.

  • suspenseful
  • deceptive
  • cerebral
  • unsettling
  • investigative
  • mind-bending
  • Tone: tense, cerebral, deceptive
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a central crime or event that is recounted from multiple, contradictory perspectives. The plot unravels not just the facts of the case, but also the motives and deceptions of the characters telling the story, leading to a final, often unsettling, revelation.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core structural device: the unreliable narrator. They create a cerebral, engaging experience where the audience's primary task is not just to watch, but to actively question and analyze every piece of information presented.

Bleak Crime Thrillers with Shocking Endings like Ittefaq

Stories that build towards a morally unsettling conclusion with no justice. Fans of Ittefaq's dark and morally complex conclusion will find similar tension in these movies. Explore thrillers and noir stories where the bad guy gets away, justice is subverted, and the ending leaves you with a heavy, thought-provoking feeling.

  • bleak
  • unsettling
  • dark
  • tense
  • noir
  • morally ambiguous
  • Tone: bleak, dark, tense
  • Pacing: steady, building dread
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The emotional journey is one of rising tension and investment in a quest for truth or justice, only to have that expectation subverted in the final act. The narrative pattern builds a sense of inevitable dread, culminating in a conclusion that reinforces a cynical or bleak worldview.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their emotionally heavy and morally bleak endings. They prioritize intellectual impact over emotional catharsis, creating a powerful and memorable viewing experience defined by a victory for deception or evil.

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Movies Like Ittefaq

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Every angle

Ittefaq (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Ittefaq in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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