Raabta (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Raabta is set in two primary locations: Amritsar, India, where protagonist Shiv Kakkar originates, and Budapest, Hungary, where he moves for work and where the romantic story unfolds. The narrative also returns to Amritsar's Golden Temple, symbolizing tradition and reunion.

• amritsar
• budapest
• setting
• locations
• golden temple

The story takes place in the contemporary present-day era, with Shiv and Saira navigating modern life in Budapest and Amritsar. However, it includes past-life flashbacks revealing the legend ofSaiba and Jilaan from ancient times, giving the narrative a dual temporal texture.

• present day
• time period
• past life
• flashbacks
• era

The Past Lives theme explores the connection between Shiv and Saira across reincarnated identities. In the past, warrior princessSaiba loved Jilaan, while Qaabir's jealousy led to tragedy. These ancient memories resurface in the present, shaping trust, fate, and confrontation between the lovers.

• past lives
• reincarnation
• saiba
• jilaan
• qaabir
• destiny

Saira's fear of water stems from childhood trauma when her parents drowned, a tragedy that mirrors the drowning fate in her past life asSaiba. Water becomes a symbol of danger, memory, and survival. Overcoming this fear represents reclaiming agency across both lifetimes.

• water trauma
• fear of water
• drowning
• saira
• symbolism

Shiv Kakkar is a fun-loving banker from Amritsar who moves to Budapest for work. Charming and impulsive, his love for Saira becomes the binding force across lifetimes, connecting him to his past-life identity as Jilaan. His determination helps the couple escape danger.

• shiv kakkar
• jilaan
• protagonist
• banker
• amritsar

Saira Singh is a chocolatier haunted by nightmares of drowning. Cautious yet deeply drawn to Shiv, her fear of water linked to childhood trauma drives much of the plot. She carries memories of her past life asSaiba, pulling her toward a fated romance with Shiv.

• saira singh
• saiba
• protagonist
• chocolatier
• water fear

Zakir Merchant is the antagonist who claims to be Saira's former lover from a past life. His obsession and jealousy drive the conflict, and his kidnapping of Saira creates the high-stakes confrontation that forces the lovers to fight for their relationship and survival.

• zakir merchant
• qaabir
• antagonist
• villain
• kidnapper

The Romantic Destiny theme portrays love as a powerful force transcending time. Shiv's insistence and Saira's shifting loyalties test their bond, confronting not just current obstacles but karmic patterns from past lives. The romance persists despite separations and danger.

• romantic destiny
• love
• fate
• relationship
• commitment

Qaabir, portrayed by Zakir Merchant in the present, was the rival in the past life who lovedSaiba but was rejected. His ancient jealousy echoes into the present, shaping the danger and conflict that threatens Shiv and Saira's relationship.

• qaabir
• past life
• jealousy
• villain
• saiba

Reincarnation forms the backbone of Raabta's premise, with Shiv and Saira as lovers reborn as Jilaan andSaiba from ancient times. The antagonist Qaabir also returns, driven by ancient jealousy. Past-life memories and paintings explain the connection, linking past tragedy to present-day romance.

• reincarnation
• past life
• memories
• rebirth
• souls

Shiv and Saira's relationship is defined by a fated, cross-life connection that transcends time. Their love faces tests from an obsessive antagonist and Saira's trauma, but their bond persists across present-day challenges and karmic patterns from their past identities.

• shiv
• saira
• relationship
• love
• couple
• fated