Karwaan

Karwaan

Year: 2018

Runtime: 125 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Echo Score: 78

Budget: $200M

ComedyAdventure

A dejected man named Avinash feels estranged from his father and blames him for stifling his ambitions. Following his father’s sudden death, Avinash, along with two other unlikely companions, embarks on a journey to return his body to his hometown. Along the way, they encounter unexpected events and form a unique bond, forcing Avinash to re-evaluate his past and confront his feelings about his father. It becomes a journey of self-discovery and connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Karwaan 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 – Karwaan (2018)

Trace every key event in Karwaan (2018) 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

Avinash's dissatisfaction with his IT job

In Bengaluru, Avinash Rajpurohit works at an IT company but hates his job and resents his father's pressure. He longs to pursue photography and fears he is drifting away from his dreams. The tension in his personal life foreshadows the upheaval to come.

Present day Bengaluru
2

News of his father's death and the corpse mix-up

Late at night, Avinash is told his father died in a bus crash near Gangotri and that the body will be delivered to him. He takes possession of the corpse and hands it to his van driver Shaukat. When they are about to cremate it, they discover the body is actually Tahira's mother, not Prakash.

Night Bengaluru
3

Decision to travel to Kochi to exchange corpses

Realizing the grave mix-up, Avinash and Shaukat resolve to travel to Kochi to exchange the corpses and recover Prakash's belongings. They set out together with a sense of duty, despite the uncertainty ahead. The journey marks the start of a long, intertwined road trip.

Next day Bengaluru to Kochi
4

Tahira calls about Tanya; mission to Ooty

Tahira calls to report that her teenage daughter Tanya has gone incommunicado, likely overwhelmed by the news. Avinash and Shaukat decide to locate Tanya and bring her along on the journey. They head to Tanya's college in Ooty to find her.

Daytime Ooty
5

Tanya's aloofness and joining the journey

In Ooty, Tanya is initially aloof and irritable, straining Shaukat's patience. Nevertheless, he agrees to take her along on the road back toward Kochi. Avinash begins to form a cautious bond with her despite her resistance.

Daytime Ooty
6

Uncovering Latha Nambiar's belongings and Kumarakom wedding

While traveling, they discover a box containing the personal effects of Latha Nambiar, another casualty from the same accident. They are told Latha's niece is getting married in Kumarakom, prompting a detour toward the wedding. The misdirection adds another layer to the cross-country quest.

En route En route to Kumarakom
7

Wedding chaos and van hijack by goons

At the Kumarakom wedding, Avinash and the group mingle with the groom, but a gang extorting Shaukat hijacks his van. They chase it in vain as the van disappears with the wedding party's possessions. The incident foreshadows the increasing danger on the trip.

Evening Kumarakom
8

Hospital scene and Shaukat's romance

Shaukat and the shehnai-player are admitted to a hospital, where Shaukat unexpectedly falls for a young woman who turns out to be the shehnai-player's wife. The development adds emotional complexity amid the ongoing pursuit of the corpses and the gang. It further complicates loyalties within the group.

Evening Hospital nearby
9

Inn night, pregnancy test and Tanya's hospital visit

Avinash and Tanya spend a night at an inn, and Tanya buys a pregnancy test, prompting a heated argument about her choices. She leaves for the hospital, where Avinash encounters his doctor friend Raghu. The strain pushes their fragile relationship toward a breaking point.

Night Inn and hospital
10

Raghu and Rumana; rekindled friendship

At Raghu's home, Avinash reconnects with Raghu's wife Rumana, reviving a long-lost friendship. The renewed bond provides emotional support during the turmoil. The encounter deepens Avinash's sense of chosen family.

Next day Raghu's home
11

Police station and car swap

At the police station, Avinash, Shaukat, and Tanya discover their van has been wrecked and replaced with a new car. The police case and the altered vehicle underscore the escalating stakes with the gang. They press on with renewed urgency.

Next day Police station
12

Trip to gang hideout and Shaukat's past

They visit the gang's hideout to settle dues, but flee when the goons arrive. Shaukat shares his memory of his father torturing his mother, and the trio realizes their fathers' lives have caused them profound suffering. The conversations bind them with a shared history.

Later Gang hideout
13

Kochi arrival; diary revelation and prayer meet

The trio reaches Kochi and Tahira warmly welcomes them. Avinash discovers in his father's diary that Prakash wanted him to retire and take up photography, reframing his view of his father. A prayer meet for Tahira's mother and Prakash follows, ending in cremation and collective mourning.

Evening Kochi
14

Final turns: Tasneem, Bengaluru, and Avinash's new life

Tasneem, the shehnai-player's wife, seeks a divorce and leaves with Shaukat for Bengaluru. Meanwhile Avinash resigns from his IT job and begins a freer life with his new friends, embracing photography. The ending hints at an upcoming photography exhibition in Bengaluru, with Avinash inviting Tahira, Tanya, Shaukat, and Amey.

Next day / Credits Bengaluru

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:05

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Road Trip Journeys of Self-Discovery like Karwaan

Unlikely companions find connection and purpose on a transformative journey.If you liked the journey of grief and connection in Karwaan, explore more movies like it. This thread features heartwarming and bittersweet road trip stories where characters travel physically and emotionally, finding themselves and forming unlikely friendships along the way.

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Mismatched souls navigate grief and humor to become an unconventional support system.For viewers who enjoyed the quirky and endearing relationships in Karwaan, this thread collects similar movies about found family. Discover stories where humor meets heartache, and lonely individuals find connection and healing through unlikely friendships.

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Narrative Summary

The plot often starts with a disruptive event that throws together disparate personalities. Their initial friction gives way to a deeper understanding as they navigate a series of challenges. The central conflict involves overcoming personal grief or isolation, with the resolution being the acceptance and celebration of this new, chosen family.

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This thread unites films that masterfully balance lighthearted comedy with genuine emotional weight. The core similarity is the theme of 'found family'—how shared experiences can create profound bonds between people who are very different, leading to a warm and hopeful conclusion.

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Karwaan Summary

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Karwaan Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Karwaan

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Karwaan

Karwaan Spoiler-Free Summary

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Karwaan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Karwaan

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