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!

Haven’t seen Mantra 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 – Mantra (2017)

Trace every key event in Mantra (2017) 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

Mantra relocates to Hyderabad for a software job

Mantra moves to Hyderabad to take up a job in a software company. She hails from a background of living in hostels after losing her parents, and she hopes to settle into a regular life in the new city.

Hyderabad, India
2

Taxi driver proposes paying guest arrangement

Upon arrival, a taxi driver approaches her and appears to be an assistant from her employer. He suggests she stay as a paying guest at an elderly couple's home in the city, rather than a hostel. Mantra considers the offer and contemplates her options.

City of Hyderabad
3

Mantra moves in with Ramarao and his wife

Mantra agrees to stay with the elderly couple Ramarao and his wife who are friendly and welcoming. She starts her job and settles into the new routine under their roof. The home becomes a temporary sanctuary as she navigates her life in the city.

Elderly couple's home, Hyderabad
4

She senses someone following her

As she settles in, Mantra begins to feel that someone is following her with the intent to kill. The threat she perceives adds tension to her daily routine and colors her interactions with others. The fear remains a recurring undercurrent.

Elderly couple's home, Hyderabad
5

Police confront her; it's a prank by Vijay

A team of police confronts Mantra, accusing her of involvement in a scandal. It is later revealed that the accusation is a prank by her ex-classmate Vijay, who has become a police officer in Hyderabad. The confrontation complicates her relationship with Vijay and raises questions about trust.

Hyderabad
6

Vijay becomes a friend and introduces her to his family

Mantra and Vijay’s friendship grows, and he introduces her to his family with an intent toward marriage. This development deepens Mantra’s ties to the city and to Vijay’s world of relatives and expectations. The moment marks a shift from suspicion to closeness.

Vijay's home
7

Mantra shares her experiences of threats

Mantra opens up about encounters with people who have tried to kill her. She recounts the fear and odd incidents she has endured since arriving in Hyderabad. The disclosures bring her closer to Vijay as he pledges to help her.

Vijay's home
8

Vijay uncovers the house’s murder-linked mystery

Vijay investigates and discovers that Mantra is living in a home entangled in a murder investigation. He and Mantra return to her accommodation with a file containing photographs of the elderly couple and the driver who first approached her. The discovery ties her current residence to dark past events.

Elderly couple's home / crime files
9

The group enters the house and realizes it is haunted

Together they enter the house and the others realize it is ghost-infested. Desperate to escape, they try to flee but doors close, trapping them inside. They discover the home lacks reception and cannot call for help, heightening the danger.

Elderly couple's home, Hyderabad
10

A member dies from shock after seeing Mantra’s photo

During the fear-filled ordeal, one member is killed purely from shock when shown a photograph of Mantra, underscoring the house’s deadly grip. The casualty increases the urgency of leaving the haunted space. This incident confirms the peril they face is real.

Haunted house, Hyderabad
11

A letter reveals Mantra’s true parentage

The haunting culminates with a ghostly revelation: a letter reveals that Mantra is the daughter of the elderly couple who owned the house. It discloses that she is one of twins, and that Anjali was the other daughter who died earlier. This backstory reframes the entire living arrangement.

Haunted house, Hyderabad
12

Past tragedy surfaces: Ramarao’s brother kills the couple

Backstory explains that Ramarao’s younger brother had plotted to claim the family wealth and killed Ramarao and his wife. Mantra’s presence in the house is tied to this dangerous history and the family’s attempt to keep the other daughter close. The murder remains a central motive in the haunting.

Past events in family mansion
13

Ramarao’s soul possesses Mantra and kills the brother

In the climax, Ramarao’s soul possesses Mantra and carries out the killed brother. The supernatural intervention resolves part of the deadly feud and vindicates Mantra’s lineage. The possession marks the turning point of the haunting.

Haunted house, Hyderabad
14

Mantra and Vijay escape and begin a new life

With the danger behind them, Vijay and Mantra embrace and leave the house together. They step out into the world as allies who have faced a ghost-infested past and survived. The couple looks toward a future that blends trust, family, and resilience.

Outside the house, Hyderabad

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:42

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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.

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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.

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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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mantra

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Mantra. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mantra

Mantra Spoiler-Free Summary

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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.

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