Mantra

Mantra

Year: 2017

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Nicholas Kharkongor

Set in 2004, during India’s ‘India Shining’ campaign, this film explores the impact of economic globalization on one family. It follows Kapil Kapoor, the founder of a popular snack brand from the era of the ‘License Raj,’ as he struggles to maintain his business against a powerful multinational corporation. As Kapil fights to save his company, his family also faces personal challenges, reflecting the broader societal shifts occurring in New India.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Mantra (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Mantra (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold in the present-day Hyderabad, where a software job, a taxi ride, and a police officer friend anchor the narrative. Modern communication and urban life intersect with supernatural occurrences, grounding the story in a familiar, contemporary setting. The timeline emphasizes current social dynamics while exploring a timeless family secret.

Location

Hyderabad

Hyderabad serves as the contemporary backdrop of the story, a major IT hub in Telangana with a busy urban landscape. The plot centers around a paying guest home in the city where a friendly elderly couple lives, which becomes the site of eerie events. The city’s modern rhythm—tech workplaces, taxis, and daily routines—juxtaposes a haunting mystery that disrupts ordinary life.

🏙️ Hyderabad 🏡 Ghost-infested house 🚕 Urban life

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:29

Main Characters – Mantra (2017)

Meet the key characters of Mantra (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mantra

A woman who relocates to Hyderabad for a software job and has spent years in hostels after losing her parents. She feels pursued and finds herself in a house haunted by a deadly past. Her journey intersects with a family secret and a supernatural turn that binds her fate to Ramarao’s legacy.

🧭 Mystery 👻 Supernatural

Vijay

Mantra’s ex-classmate who is now a police officer. He rekindles their connection and becomes a stabilizing force as the mystery deepens, supporting her through danger and emotional tension.

🔎 Detective 💖 Romance

Ramarao

The elderly man who with his wife takes in Mantra as their daughter. His past actions and the family’s secrets drive the central mystery, and his spirit later exerts influence from beyond the grave.

👪 Family 🪦 Ghost

Ramarao's Wife

The elderly woman who welcomes Mantra into the family and shares in the sorrow of losing the second daughter. She becomes a victim in the pursuit of wealth and security.

👪 Family 🪦 Ghost

Ramarao's Brother

The antagonist whose greed leads him to murder Ramarao and his wife in order to seize wealth and the remaining daughter. His plans trigger the eventual karmic confrontation.

🗡️ Rivalry 💥 Betrayal

Man from Jharkhand

The taxi driver who approaches Mantra as an assistant sent by her employer. He facilitates her initial living arrangement as a paying guest.

🚖 Driver 🗝️ Deception

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:29

Major Themes – Mantra (2017)

Explore the central themes of Mantra (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👻 Haunting

A ghostly presence inhabits the house Mantra stays in, turning a normal residence into a dangerous trap. The haunting is linked to a murder investigation and a buried family past. Characters confront unseen forces and the chilling history tied to the home.

🧬 Twins & Secrets

The story reveals a hidden twin lineage: Mantra is connected to the elderly couple’s extended circle and raised as their daughter alongside a deceased sister. A letter and photographs uncover a long-standing family secret about inheritance and identity. The revelation reshapes how characters understand themselves and their ties to the house.

💑 Love & Trust

Mantra’s relationship with Vijay evolves from friendship to a deeper bond as danger arises. Their trust and cooperation help them navigate the supernatural peril and the unfolding mystery. The arc culminates in mutual support and a hopeful escape from the haunted setting.

⚖️ Revenge & Justice

The murder driven by greed—Ramarao’s brother killing Ramarao and his wife to claim the wealth—frames a story of vengeance. Ramarao’s soul ultimately acts through possession to pursue justice against his killer. The theme underscores the consequences of family conflict and the moral weight of retribution.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:29

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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.

Supernatural family thrillers like Mantra

Protective bonds are tested by ghosts and secrets from the past.If you liked Mantra's exploration of a family haunted by its past, you'll find similar stories here. This list features movies where supernatural events force characters to uncover dark family secrets, blending psychological tension with emotional drama in a claustrophobic setting.

supernaturalfamily secretspsychologicalunraveling pastprotectivecatharticunsettlinggrief

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a sense of encroaching unease or a supernatural presence that seems personally targeted. The plot unfolds as an investigation, not just into the supernatural phenomenon, but into the family's own history, leading to a climactic revelation of a hidden tragedy—such as a death, betrayal, or crime—that fuels the haunting. The resolution often involves confronting this truth, leading to a cathartic but bittersweet release.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core premise where the supernatural is a metaphor for unresolved trauma. They blend the tension of a thriller with the heavy emotional weight of a family drama, creating a specific, claustrophobic vibe where the scares are deeply personal.

Slow burn tense thrillers like Mantra

A steady, oppressive tension that builds towards a devastating truth.For viewers who appreciated the steadily mounting tension and claustrophobic atmosphere of Mantra, this list highlights similar slow burn thrillers. These films build dread methodically, often within a confined setting, leading to a heavy emotional payoff and a revelation that recontextualizes everything.

slow burnclaustrophobictenseanxiousominouspsychological thrillerunsettlingdread

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread unfold deliberately, establishing a baseline of normalcy that is slowly eroded by unsettling details and a growing sense of wrongness. The plot avoids major action set pieces in favor of psychological pressure and character-driven suspense. The climax is typically a revelation or confrontation that has been carefully foreshadowed, delivering a powerful emotional or psychological impact after the sustained build-up.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their shared approach to pacing and mood. They prioritize atmosphere and psychological tension over fast-paced action, creating a specific viewing experience for audiences who enjoy feeling a sense of dread that is earned through careful, steady storytelling.

Unlock the Full Story of Mantra

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

Mantra Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mantra, 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.

Mantra Summary

Mantra Timeline

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

Mantra Timeline

Mantra Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Mantra 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.

Mantra Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Mantra

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