Kathal

Kathal

Year: 2023

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Yashowardhan Mishra

Echo Score: 76
DramaComedyMysteryCrime

A Jackfruit Mystery When two prized jackfruits disappear from a politician’s garden, a spirited cop’s investigation takes an unexpected turn as she digs for the truth.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Kathal (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kathal (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Moba, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

The story unfolds in the town of Moba and expands to nearby Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh, reflecting a regional backdrop of local politics and police work. The setting blends a small-town atmosphere with larger political and criminal networks, providing a grounded stage for the investigation into missing people and jackfruits. This backdrop anchors the film's commentary on governance, law enforcement, and social dynamics in contemporary India.

🏙️ Town setting 🗺️ Indian state 🌾 Rural environment

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:36

Main Characters – Kathal (2023)

Meet the key characters of Kathal (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Inspector Mahima Basor (Sanya Malhotra)

A sharp and principled police inspector who navigates caste and gender bias within the force. She refuses to use a sensational case to advance her own status and instead redirects focus to the missing girl, Amiya. Her relentless pursuit of truth drives the investigation and culminates in her promotion to DSP and leadership of a human-trafficking cell.

👮 Police officer 💪 Determined 🔍 Investigative

Saurabh Dwivedi (Anant Joshi)

A supportive constable who balances personal relationships with professional duty. He highlights the unequal treatment within the system and aids in gathering intelligence that advances the case. By the end, his work earns him a promotion to Sub-Inspector.

👮 Police officer 🧭 Loyal 🔎 Investigator

Birwa Mali (Ambrish Saxena)

The recently fired gardener and Amiya’s father, coerced into confessing his daughter’s involvement in the jackfruit theft. His testimony is pivotal to uncovering the truth that his daughter was not responsible. He ultimately becomes a figure in the case that exposes police influence over confessions.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family man 💼 Victim 🔎 Witness

Amiya (Apoorva Chaturvedi)

Amiya is the missing girl whose fate drives the investigation across towns. She is rescued from trafficking and, though she pleads not guilty in court, her case highlights the broader neglect of missing children. Her rescue marks a turning point in the film’s moral arc.

🧒 Missing person 💖 Survivor 🧭 Central figure

Anuj Sanghvi (Rajpal Yadav)

A journalist who uncovers that Birwa’s confession was coerced under police influence. He becomes a key conduit for truth-telling, ultimately being bribed by Mahima to withhold the full details of missing girls so Amiya’s case can be prioritized.

📰 Journalist 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator 💼 Media influence

Gulab Seth (Raghubir Yadav)

A local businessman and the trafficking kingpin behind Amiya’s forced fate. His network represents the criminal underbelly that preys on vulnerable girls and leverages money and influence to evade justice.

💼 Antagonist 🔒 Criminal mastermind 🕴️ Power broker

Angrez Singh Randhawa (Gurpal Singh)

The senior SP who promises a promotion to DSP in exchange for presenting Birwa as the thief. He embodies the pressure and shortcuts often exercised by those in charge, illustrating how authority can skew investigations.

🧭 Authority ⚖️ Political pressure 🗣️ Bureaucrat

Munnalal Pateria (Vijay Raaz)

The MLA whose garden becomes the site of the jackfruit theft and whose political power frames the investigation’s stakes. He represents the nexus of local politics and criminal rumor that permeates the case.

🏛️ Politician 🕵️‍♂️ Power broker 🗣️ Public figure

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:36

Major Themes – Kathal (2023)

Explore the central themes of Kathal (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

♀️ Gender bias

Inspector Mahima Basor faces caste-based discrimination from subordinates and superiors, highlighting how gender and social hierarchies influence police work. The narrative centers her resolve to challenge patriarchal norms and demand fair recognition. Bias shapes decisions, testing her commitment to truth over status. The film uses her perspective to critique systemic sexism within law enforcement.

🚨 Trafficking

Amiya's disappearance exposes a human trafficking operation led by Gulab Seth, connecting local politics, policing, and criminal networks. The investigation travels from the MLA's circle to distant towns, revealing gaps in protection for vulnerable girls. The case underscores the reformist drive to curb trafficking and safeguard victims. It also shows how powerful interests attempt to control information.

⚖️ Justice vs Power

The film pits pursuit of truth against political and administrative pressure, emphasizing that real justice requires listening to neglected cases (like missing girls) despite convenient sensational stories. Mahima's actions critique how promotions and power can distort investigative priorities. The courtroom moment reinforces the idea that integrity and evidence should prevail over appearances. The conclusion celebrates accountability and systemic change, not just individual victories.

😂 Comic twist

In a final twist, the film reveals the jackfruits' disappearance was a red herring—monkeys were responsible—underscoring the satirical tone. This ending underscores the absurdities within bureaucratic obsession with trivial cases at the expense of serious harms. It also serves as a punchline about misdirected public attention and the comic relief woven into the drama. The twist reinforces the film’s critique of misplaced priorities.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:36

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Movies where a small investigation reveals a bigger truth, like Kathal

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investigativeuncovering truthworkplace defiancesocial justicehopefuldetermined

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a catalyst—a minor crime or strange occurrence—that initially seems beneath the protagonist's notice. As they dig deeper, often against official indifference, they peel back layers of deception, connecting the dots to a grave injustice. The resolution provides personal vindication and addresses the larger uncovered problem.

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Movies in this thread share a specific plot structure that creates a compelling tonal shift. They start with a low-stakes, sometimes comedic premise (like missing jackfruits) that gradually builds STEADY momentum toward a reveal of high-stakes, serious themes, maintaining a MODERATE complexity and emotional weight throughout.

Unlock the Full Story of Kathal

Don't stop at just watching — explore Kathal 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 Kathal is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Kathal Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Kathal, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Kathal Summary

Kathal Timeline

Track the full timeline of Kathal with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Kathal Timeline

Kathal Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Kathal? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Kathal Ending Explained

Kathal Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Kathal that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Kathal Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Kathal

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Kathal: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Kathal

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