Pardes

Pardes

Year: 1997

Runtime: 191 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Subhash Ghai

RomanceDramaSong and danceHeartbreaking and moving family dramaTouching and sentimental family stories

Kishorilal, a traditional Indian patriarch living in the United States, arranges an Indian bride, Ganga—his friend’s daughter—for his western‑educated son. After bringing Ganga to America, she forms an unexpected, deep connection with Arjun, Kishorilal’s loyal foster son, creating tension between duty and desire.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Pardes 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 – Pardes (1997)

Trace every key event in Pardes (1997) 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

Reunion in the village with Kishorilal

Surajdev greets Kishorilal, his childhood friend who has returned from abroad after many years. Kishorilal is impressed by Ganga's values and begins to see an alliance with his son Rajiv as a possible arrangement.

Suraj's village, India
2

Kishorilal's plan accelerates: a marriage with Rajiv

Kishorilal, moved by Ganga's virtue, returns to the US and arranges to have his adopted son Arjun go to India to facilitate the marriage. He believes a match with Rajiv would secure the family's future and sends Arjun with his plan in mind.

US
3

Arjun arrives and westernizes Ganga's household

Arjun sets about 'westernizing' Ganga's household, a move that clashes with traditional values. Ganga opposes the changes but the two start off on the wrong foot and gradually become good friends as they navigate the tension between cultures.

Ganga's village, India
4

Rajiv arrives in India and meets Ganga

Rajiv arrives in India amid Indian customs and traditions; he's initially shocked but ultimately approves of Ganga. The stage is set for the engagement and the cross-cultural matchmaking.

few days later Ganga's village, India
5

Ganga seeks understanding; Arjun lies about Rajiv

Ganga asks Arjun to help her understand Rajiv better, and Arjun fabricates accounts of Rajiv's vices. His deception shapes Ganga's view and makes the upcoming engagement seem safer in her eyes.

India
6

Engagement leads to US departure

Ganga accepts the arrangement and departs for the US with Rajiv's family after the engagement. The move marks the beginning of her life in a Westernized household and the first major test of the arranged match.

US
7

Ganga's US life; emotional bond with Arjun

In the United States, Ganga feels like an outsider in Rajiv's family and leans on Arjun for emotional support. The two grow closer as she navigates alien customs and a sense of belonging, complicating her feelings about Rajiv.

United States
8

Rajiv's vices come to light

Ganga learns that Rajiv is an alcoholic and a womanizer, a revelation that shatters her trust. She blames Arjun for deceiving her about Rajiv and starts reconsidering the marriage plan while Kishorilal urges her to understand Rajiv rather than abandon the arrangement.

United States
9

Las Vegas confrontation and breaking the engagement

On a trip to Las Vegas, Rajiv pressures Ganga to sleep with him before marriage; she refuses, citing her beliefs. Rajiv's disrespect for Indian traditions escalates things, and Ganga slaps him and discards her engagement ring.

Las Vegas, United States
10

Rajiv assaults Ganga; Arjun saves her

A drunk Rajiv forces himself on Ganga, who fights back to defend herself. Arjun finds her crying at a train station and safely escorts her back to India, ending their life in the US for the time being.

after the assault US train station
11

Kishorilal and the village confront perceived elopement

Back in the village, Kishorilal believes Arjun and Ganga eloped with each other and tries to kill them as punishment for betrayal. The drama shifts from personal to familial honor as the country-bred tension escalates.

Ganga's village, India
12

Confrontation in the village and confession

Rajiv and Kishorilal arrive in the village, leading to a fight between Arjun and Rajiv. Kishorilal intervenes and demands explanations from Arjun, who admits his love for Ganga and that he protected her rather than eloping.

Ganga's village, India
13

Ganga confirms Arjun's truth; Rajiv punished

Ganga corroborates Arjun's story by showing the marks on her body from Rajiv's assault. Embarrassed by Rajiv's behavior, Kishorilal slaps Rajiv and cancels the engagement, declaring that Ganga will marry Arjun instead.

Ganga's village, India
14

Return to the US and married life

Ganga and Arjun return to the US to begin their married life together, free from the earlier cultural clashes, and the couple starts a new chapter as husband and wife. They look forward to a stable life in America.

United States

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:44

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Pardes

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

Pardes Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Pardes, 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.

Pardes Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Pardes

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Pardes

Pardes Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Pardes 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.

Pardes Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Pardes

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

Similar Movies to Pardes

Discover movies like Pardes that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.