Manik

Manik

Year: 2005

Runtime: 166 mins

Language: Bengali, Bangla

Director: Prabhat Roy

Drama

Samir Mitra, an educated but unemployed man caring for his retired father and a mother battling cancer, encounters Manik Chandra Sadhukhan, whose sick father Niranjan and younger sister Latika await him in Kolkata. En route to meet family friend businessman Chandrakanta Majumdar, Manik is killed in an accident. Before dying, he entrusts Samir with his family’s care and secrecy, provides all necessary details, and Samir assumes Manik’s identity, gaining employment with Chandrakanta.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Manik 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 & Setting – Manik (2005)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Manik (2005). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s, 1940s

The movie is set during the 1930s and early 1940s, covering the period of the Great Depression, the rise of Hollywood's Golden Age, and the political tensions of that era. This was a transformative time in America, marked by economic hardship, political upheavals, and significant developments in the film industry. The events depict both the pre-World War II setting and the wartime atmosphere.

Location

Victorville, CA, Hearst Castle, Hollywood, San Simeon

The film primarily takes place at North Verde Ranch in Victorville, a remote desert location where Mank is confined to write his screenplay. Key scenes also occur at Hearst Castle, a grand estate symbolizing wealth and influence, and at various Hollywood studios representing the burgeoning film industry in 1930s America. The settings reflect the contrast between the glittering Hollywood dream and the stark reality of the characters' struggles.

🌄 Desert 🏰 Historic estate 🎬 Film studio 🌳 Coastal estate

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:44

Main Characters – Manik (2005)

Meet the key characters of Manik (2005), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mank (Herman Mankiewicz), played by Gary Oldman

Mank is a talented but troubled screenwriter battling alcoholism and personal demons. His sharp wit and integrity push him to craft a script that challenges Hollywood’s norms and political authorities. He is driven by a desire for artistic honesty but is often sabotaged by his vices and circumstances.

🎬 Screenwriter 🚶‍♂️ Troubled genius 🍷 Alcoholic

William Randolph Hearst, played by Charles Dance

Hearst is a powerful and influential newspaper magnate whose political and personal interests heavily influence Hollywood. His character embodies the themes of control and moral ambiguity, shaping the film's depiction of media manipulation and societal power structures.

📰 Media Mogul 🗳️ Influential 🎩 Aristocrat

Marion Davies, played by Amanda Seyfried

Marion is an actress and Hearst’s mistress, caught between her career and her relationship with Hearst. She is portrayed as a compassionate but somewhat caught figure, symbolizing the compromises faced by women in Hollywood and society.

🎥 Actress 💃 Sensitive 🌹 Femme Fatale

Welles (Orson Welles), played by Tom Burke

Welles is an ambitious and innovative filmmaker working to bring his vision to life. While a secondary focus, his character represents creative genius and the struggle for artistic independence within a commercialized industry.

🎥 Filmmaker 🚀 Visionary 🎭 Creative spirit

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:44

Major Themes – Manik (2005)

Explore the central themes of Manik (2005), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Art and Integrity

The film explores the tension between artistic integrity and commercial interests in Hollywood. Mank’s struggle to stay true to his vision amidst political and studio pressures highlights the cost of creative honesty. It also examines how personal flaws and societal influences can undermine artistic achievement.

⚖️ Politics and Power

A significant theme is the influence of politics on Hollywood and individual lives. Mank’s stance against fascism, his politicking, and the depiction of powerful studio and political figures showcase how political ideologies and corruption affected the film industry. The film underscores the intersection of art, politics, and societal control.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:44

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about artistic self-destruction like Manik

Stories of artists battling their inner demons while under intense creative pressure.If you liked Manik's portrayal of a creator under pressure, explore more movies like it. This collection features films about artists, writers, and filmmakers grappling with addiction, creative blocks, and the dark side of their industries, where the pursuit of art comes with a heavy personal toll.

self-destructiveanxiousreflectiveoppressiveregretfulclaustrophobictense

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a talented but troubled individual navigating a high-stakes creative environment. Their journey is marked by self-sabotaging behavior, intense deadlines, and confrontations with a system that often exploits their talent. The story structure may shift between the pressure-cooker present and formative past events, leading to a victory that feels hollow or bittersweet.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here due to their shared focus on the psychological toll of creation. They feature protagonists wrestling with internal and external demons, set against backdrops that critique powerful institutions. The tone is consistently heavy and melancholic, blending professional tension with deep personal regret.

Claustrophobic psychological dramas like Manik

Intense character studies where psychological tension creates a suffocating atmosphere.For viewers who appreciated the tense, oppressive atmosphere of Manik, this list recommends similar claustrophobic psychological dramas. Discover movies that create a high-stakes pressure cooker feeling, focusing on characters grappling with heavy emotional burdens, moral compromises, and intense internal struggles in confined settings.

claustrophobicoppressivetenseanxiouspsychologicalheavyregretful

Narrative Summary

These stories often unfold in confined spaces—either physical or psychological—limiting the protagonist's options and heightening the tension. The narrative is driven by the character's deteriorating mental state as they confront past mistakes, power imbalances, or existential threats. The pacing is often variable, fluctuating between slow-burn introspection and bursts of high-stakes confrontation.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their oppressive, anxious mood and high psychological intensity. They prioritize character psychology over action, creating a sense of dread and confinement. The shared experience is one of being immersed in a character's stressful, often self-destructive headspace, leading to an emotionally heavy and resonant conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of Manik

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

Manik Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Manik, 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.

Manik Summary

Manik Timeline

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

Manik Timeline

Manik Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Manik 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.

Manik Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Manik

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Manik: 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 Manik