Parinda

Parinda

Year: 1989

Runtime: 154 mins

Language: Hindi

CrimeDramaAction

Brothers Kishan and Karan are raised in Bombay. Karan departs for studies in America, while Kishan becomes entangled in the criminal world, serving the drug lord Anna Seth. Upon Karan’s return to Bombay, Kishan strives to shield his brother from the underworld, but events spiral beyond his control.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Parinda 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!

Parinda (1989) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Parinda (1989), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Karan Choudhary [Anil Kapoor] and Kishan Choudhary [Jackie Shroff] grew up on the rough streets of Bombay, where survival meant sticking close to each other. To give Karan a better chance at life, Kishan begins working for Anna Seth [Nana Patekar], a powerful gangster who runs an oil factory that hides a web of illegal schemes. Karan returns to Bombay after finishing his studies in the United States, unaware of the depths of Anna’s criminal empire or Kishan’s exact role in it. Meanwhile, Inspector Prakash Nair [Anupam Kher], a friend to Karan, suspects Anna’s criminal ties but cannot mount a case without solid evidence.

The tension thickens when Anna plots to remove Prakash during a family reunion with Karan. In a bid to shield his friend, Kishan secures an earlier flight for Karan, yet the plan goes awry as Anna’s men shoot Prakash, who dies in Karan’s arms. Paromita “Paro” Nair [Madhuri Dixit], Prakash’s sister and Karan’s childhood friend, begins to doubt Karan’s innocence, even as Karan learns from Anna’s former messenger Iqbal [Sameer Kakkar] that Anna is the true mastermind behind Prakash’s murder and that Kishan works for him. The two lovers find themselves pulled into a dangerous web of suspicion and confiding hurt, and their bond tightens even as Paro slowly trusts Karan again.

A few days later, Abdul [Suresh Oberoi] is arrested, and Karan identifies him as one of Prakash’s killers. Kishan warns Karan against testifying, and the tension spikes when Abdul extorts silence by threatening Kishan with danger back at home. The pressure mounts as Karan weighs the cost of truth against the fragile safety of his brother and his beloved Paro. When Karan is called to identify the assailants at police headquarters, Abdul’s threats push him toward a grim choice: stay silent or risk Kishan’s life by testifying. He chooses to keep quiet, and instead decides to get close to Anna by joining his gang, attempting to navigate the murky loyalties from within.

Anna tests Karan’s resolve by ordering him to shoot Iqbal, who, in a final twist, shoots himself so Karan can proceed with his covert mission without carrying the burden of guilt. The next day, Anna orders Karan to eliminate rival gangster Musa [Tom Alter], accompanied by his gunman Francis [Shivkumar Subramaniam]. Karan ends up killing Francis and switching sides to Musa, abducting Rama Reddy [Kamal Chopra] to bring him to Musa. He stages evidence of Rama’s betrayal, snapping pictures that imply Rama shot Francis, and then murders Rama on Anna’s orders. With Musa’s help, Karan completes Abdul’s removal and advances his own plan to avenge Prakash’s death.

As the plan unfolds, Karan and Paro marry and start to dream of leaving the city behind. Musa reveals to Karan that he had been manipulated, which leads Anna to strike back with decisive force: on their wedding night, he shoots and kills both Karan and Paro. The tragedy leaves Paro’s sister and Karan’s friend Kishan burning with vengeance, and he heads to Anna’s residence to deliver his own brutal reckoning, burning Anna to death as a final act of retribution for the losses that crushed his brother and his city.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:31

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 Parinda

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

Parinda Timeline

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

Parinda Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Parinda

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Parinda

More About Parinda

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

Similar Movies to Parinda

Discover movies like Parinda 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.