Karma

Karma

Year: 1986

Runtime: 192 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Subhash Ghai

AdventureActionThrillerDrama

When senior police inspector Vishwa Pratap Singh arrests Dr. Michael Dang, leader of the terrorist PSO, the group bombs the jail, killing many inmates, including two of Vishwa’s sons and his daughter‑in‑law, while Dang escapes. Assuming the name Dada Thakur, Vishwa trains three death‑row convicts—Baiju Thakur, Johnny and former terrorist Khairuddin Kisti—to become disciplined hunters and exact revenge on Dang and his gang.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Karma (1986)

Trace every key event in Karma (1986) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Vishwa runs a reformist jail

Rana Vishwa Pratap Singh, a former senior police officer, oversees a jail that emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Under his leadership, inmates receive education, vocational training and strict supervision. The facility earns a reputation as a model for how reform can work within the system.

Jail
2

Dang is captured and transferred; a confrontation with a warden

Dr. Michael Dang is captured and brought to Vishwa's jail for confinement. During a heated exchange with a warden, Dang assaults the guard, and Vishwa confronts him with a firm slap. Dang vows revenge on Vishwa for the humiliation.

Vishwa's jail
3

Black Star frees Dang and attacks the prison

While Vishwa is away, Black Star terrorists stage a surprise assault that frees Dang and devastates the prison. The attack also kills members of Vishwa's family who lived nearby, though his wife Rukmani and their youngest son are spared. Rukmani loses her ability to speak in the aftermath.

Prison complex and nearby home
4

Mission approved after mourning

After a period of mourning, the Indian Government approves a bold mission to capture Dang and dismantle Black Star. Vishwa is tasked with assembling a capable team to carry out the operation. The plan marks a shift from rehabilitation to direct counterterrorism.

Government offices
5

Vishwa recruits the operation team

Vishwa handpicks a skilled team: Baiju Thakur, Johnny Gyaneshwar, and ex-terrorist Khairuddin Khairu Chishti. The trio brings different skills to the mission, from combat prowess to insider knowledge. They begin preparing for the dangerous assignment ahead.

Training camp near border
6

Disguised training and personal bonds form

Disguised as forest rangers, the team sets up bases near the border and trains in stealth and tactics. During this period, Baiju falls in love with Radha and Johnny with Tulsi, raising the personal stakes of the mission. The bonds among the team grow stronger as they learn to rely on one another.

Forest border base
7

Khairu urges caution about Baiju and Johnny

Khairu expresses concern that Baiju and Johnny may be softened by their relationships and questions whether they should stay on the mission. Vishwa remains wary, insisting that their loyalty must stay with the objective. The tension highlights the human cost of the operation.

Training camp
8

Vishwa is shot and hospitalized

During a high-risk maneuver to secure a location, terrorists target Vishwa and shoot him while he protects the younger squad. He survives the immediate danger but is hospitalized, leaving the team to carry on without their mentor. The setback deepens the resolve of Baiju, Johnny and Khairu.

Near the training base / hospital
9

The team recommits to the mission for Singh

Distraught by Vishwa's injury, Baiju, Johnny and Khairu resolve to complete the mission in his honor. They accept the risks and recommit to defeating Dang and dismantling Black Star. Their renewed determination fuels the next phase of the operation.

Base
10

Infiltration with captive help and intelligence on the compound

The team receives precise intelligence about Dang's compound and infiltrates it with support from Indian Army soldiers held captive by the terrorists. They move cautiously, gathering information and preparing for a decisive strike. The mission shifts from reconnaissance to direct action against the core of Black Star.

Dang's compound
11

A dangerous plan to strike the heart of the building

Khairu proposes driving a truck loaded with explosives into the building's center, a move that could cripple the terrorists' operations. Baiju and Johnny argue that the plan is too dangerous and could cost them all their lives. Khairu vows to shoulder the risk for the mission's success.

Dang's compound
12

Khairu sacrifices himself and the others strike back

Khairu sacrifices himself to secure the mission’s objective, allowing Baiju and Johnny to execute the remaining assault. They return to the main compound and eliminate the surviving terrorists, bringing the battle toward its conclusion. The operation demonstrates the price of victory and the depth of their commitment.

Dang's compound
13

Singh returns and defeats Dang; victory proclaimed

Vishwa makes a swift recovery and joins the final confrontation, killing Dr. Dang and bringing Black Star's threat to an end. The mission is declared a success, and the immediate danger is neutralized. Resolution settles over the battlefield as Rukmani regains her speech in the aftermath.

Dang's compound / battlefield
14

Medals, memorials, and new beginnings

The surviving soldiers are awarded bravery medals, and Khairu is honored posthumously for his sacrifice. Baiju and Johnny return to civilian life with their partners Radha and Tulsi, signaling closure and hope for the future. The team’s legacy underscores the personal cost of justice and the resilience of those who fight it.

Ceremonial award ceremony

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:27

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