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Timeline

Raabta (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 147 mins · Hindi
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Directed by
Dinesh Vijan
Starring
Deepika Padukone, Jim Sarbh, Sushant Singh Rajput, Varun Sharma, Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao

A couple, Saira and Shiva, are deeply in love, but their happiness is threatened when a mysterious stranger arrives, claiming to be her former lover from a past life. Obsessed with winning her back, this stranger’s arrival creates a complicated situation and jeopardizes their relationship, forcing them to confront the complexities of love, destiny, and reincarnation.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Raabta
  6. 6 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

Raabta Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Raabta (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Shiv Kakkar relocates to Budapest for a lucrative banking opportunity

    Shiv Kakkar leaves his hometown of Amritsar and moves to Budapest to pursue a high-paying banking job. He arrives with his childhood friend Radha and quickly settles into the city, trading his old routines for a new professional life. The move marks the beginning of his cosmopolitan chapter and his later romantic entanglements.

    When
    Early days in Budapest
    Where
    Budapest
  2. Shiv meets Saira and pursues a connection despite another date

    On a date with another woman, Shiv feels an undeniable pull toward Saira and ends up pursuing a deeper connection. He convinces Saira to be with him, even as she doubts the relationship due to her existing commitment to Manav. The budding romance sets the stage for a powerful, fateful bond.

    When
    Soon after first meeting
    Where
    Budapest
  3. Saira reveals her fear of water rooted in childhood tragedy

    Saira opens up about her lifelong fear of water, explaining that her parents drowned when she was a child. The fear haunts her, shaping choices and relationships, and it becomes a recurring symbol in their bond. Shiv responds with care, making her feel understood rather than judged.

    When
    Early in their relationship
    Where
    Budapest
  4. Shiv leaves for a business trip, separating the couple

    Shiv departs on a business trip, leaving Saira behind for a stretch of time. The absence creates space for both reflection and danger, allowing new forces to surface in Saira's life. His departure also foreshadows the looming threat connected to Zakir.

    When
    During his business trip
    Where
    Budapest
  5. Saira encounters Zakir, who hypothesizes a past-life connection

    During Shiv's absence, Saira meets Zakir, an enigmatic figure who hints at a bond spanning past lives. He begins to plant the seeds of a dramatic twist, claiming they were lovers in a previous incarnation. He also shows a mounting obsession that soon leads to danger.

    When
    During Shiv's absence
    Where
    Budapest
  6. Past-life memories surface: Saiba and Jilaan

    Zakir reveals paintings and memories that trigger Saira's recollection of her past incarnation, Saiba, who loved a warrior named Jilaan—the present Shiv. The tragic jealousy of Qaabir (the present Zakir) ended that earlier romance. The parallels between then and now intensify Saira's fear and resolve.

    When
    In a remembered past life
    Where
    Past life memory
  7. Saira agrees to marry Zakir to avert history

    To prevent history from repeating itself, Saira initially consents to marry Zakir, hoping to control the course of fate. The agreement is tempered by fear and a glimmer of resistance, showing that she won't surrender to doom easily. The moment crystallizes the dangerous crossroads she faces.

    When
    Engagement phase
    Where
    Unknown location
  8. Shiv intervenes and helps Saira escape Zakir

    Unaware of the past-life prophecies but devoted to Saira, Shiv orchestrates an escape from Zakir's captivity. His intervention underscores their bond and his willingness to risk everything for her safety. They flee together, setting up a final confrontation.

    When
    During their captivity
    Where
    Captivity location (unknown)
  9. Final confrontation at sea: Zakir's attack and the fall

    Zakir confronts Shiv in a lethal showdown, attempting to kill him as a twisted act of jealousy and fate. The struggle ends with both men plunging into the ocean, where Zakir drowns and Saira acts to save Shiv. The sea becomes the stage where past and present collide.

    When
    During the confrontation
    Where
    Open sea
  10. Navy rescues Shiv and Saira

    Rescued by the navy after the fall, Shiv and Saira survive the encounter and begin the process of rebuilding their lives. The rescue scene marks a turning point from danger to a clean slate, with their survival strengthening their bond. The event cements their resilience against fate.

    When
    Immediately after the fall
    Where
    Open sea / naval area
  11. A decade later: married with twin sons

    Ten years pass, and Shiv and Saira are now a married couple with twin sons. They have built a life around love, family, and shared memories, subtly influenced by their extraordinary experiences. The family embodies a contrast between past terrors and present stability.

    When
    Ten years later
    Where
    Home
  12. Visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar

    In a peaceful, hopeful closing scene, Shiv and Saira visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar with their twins by their side. The temple visit symbolizes healing, faith, and a tranquil future free from the earlier darkness. The film ends with a sense of lasting harmony between two people who endured amazing trials.

    When
    Ten years later
    Where
    Golden Temple, Amritsar

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:18

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Timeline questions answered

Raabta Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Raabta (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Zakir believe Saira was his lover in a past life?

Zakir shows Saira paintings from centuries ago depicting her as a warrior princess namedSaiba who was in love with a warrior called Jilaan (Shiv's past incarnation). Zakir claims he was Qaabir in that lifetime, who was also in love withSaiba but killed Jilaan out of jealousy. These paintings and the story trigger Saira's suppressed past-life memories, making her believe their connection transcends current reality.

  • zakir
  • past life
  • saiba
  • paintings
  • reincarnation
  • memories
Q2

What causes Saira's fear of water?

Saira's fear of water stems from a childhood tragedy where her parents drowned. This traumatic event left her with lifelong aquaphobia, which manifests in nightmares about drowning. The fear becomes significant when the final confrontation occurs at sea, forcing her to overcome her trauma to save Shiv.

  • saira
  • fear of water
  • childhood trauma
  • parents drowning
  • nightmares
Q3

Why does Saira initially agree to marry Zakir?

Saira agrees to marry Zakir because she believes doing so will prevent history from repeating itself. In her past life asSaiba, she loved Jilaan but Qaabir (Zakir's past self) killed him out of jealousy. Saira thinks that by consenting to marry Zakir this time, she can break the tragic cycle and save Shiv's life.

  • saira
  • zakir
  • marriage
  • past life
  • fate
  • break cycle
Q4

How does Shiv help Saira escape from Zakir?

Although unaware of the past-life connection between Saira and Zakir, Shiv orchestrates her escape from captivity. His deep love for Saira drives him to confront Zakir and free her from his clutches, setting up the final confrontation where their relationship is truly tested.

  • shiv
  • saira
  • escape
  • captivity
  • rescue
  • zakir
Q5

Why does Zakir attack Shiv at the sea?

Zakir's attack is driven by obsessive jealousy that spans lifetimes. In their past lives, Qaabir killed Jilaan (Shiv's past self) because he lovedSaiba. Unable to accept that Saira chose Shiv over him in the present, Zakir attempts to kill Shiv in a final act of jealousy, forcing Saira to choose between the two men.

  • zakir
  • shiv
  • jealousy
  • attack
  • sea
  • past life
  • qaabir
  • jilaan
Q6

Why does Zakir drown while Shiv survives?

During the struggle, both men fall into the ocean. Saira overcomes her traumatic fear of water to rescue Shiv, but she cannot save Zakir in time, leading to his drowning. This mirrors the tragic ending of their past life where Jilaan died, but in this lifetime, love and Saira's courage allow Shiv to survive.

Foreshadowing: The past-life memory shows Jilaan being killed by Qaabir, establishing the pattern that Shiv could die.

  • zakir
  • drowning
  • shiv
  • sea
  • ocean
  • rescue
  • survival
  • past life
Q7

Why does Saira leave Manav for Shiv?

Saira leaves Manav because she feels an intense, inexplicable connection with Shiv the moment they meet. Despite being on a date with another woman, Shiv is drawn to Saira, and she eventually reciprocates, ending her relationship with Manav to pursue this powerful bond that feels destined.

  • saira
  • manav
  • shiv
  • breakup
  • love
  • attraction
  • connection
Q8

What triggers Saira's past life memories?

Zakir triggers Saira's past life memories by showing her ancient paintings of herself as warrior princessSaiba. These visual artifacts, combined with his claims about their shared history, unlock suppressed memories of her past incarnation and her love with warrior Jilaan.

  • past life
  • memories
  • paintings
  • saiba
  • zakir
  • trigger
  • reincarnation
Q9

Who is Qaabir and what is his relationship to Zakir?

Qaabir is Zakir's past-life identity. In the historical flashback, Qaabir was a warrior who lovedSaiba but she rejected him for Jilaan. Consumed by jealousy, Qaabir murdered Jilaan, causing a tragic ending to that lifetime. Zakir believes he is now destined to have Saira, continuing Qaabir's obsession.

  • qaabir
  • zakir
  • past life
  • jealousy
  • murderer
  • warrior
  • jilaan
Q10

Why does the movie end at the Golden Temple?

The film ends at the Golden Temple in Amritsar (Shiv's hometown) to symbolize healing and hope. Ten years after surviving the traumatic ordeal, Shiv and Saira visit the temple with their twin sons, representing peace, faith, and a future free from the darkness of past-life curses and Zakir's obsession.

  • golden temple
  • amritsar
  • ending
  • hope
  • healing
  • family
  • closure

Movie threads

More Movies Like Raabta, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Raabta tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about obsessive past lives like Raabta

When destiny's plan is threatened by a dangerous obsession from a previous life. If you enjoyed the high-stakes drama of Raabta, you'll love these movies where reincarnated lovers must confront a dangerous obsession from their past. Discover similar thrillers and romantic dramas about destiny, fated love, and the threat of a past that refuses to stay buried.

  • fated
  • obsessive
  • dramatic
  • suspenseful
  • passionate
  • reincarnation
  • Tone: tense, dramatic, passionate
  • Pacing: fast, suspenseful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a blissful, seemingly destined romance that is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a character claiming a connection from a past life. This antagonist's obsessive pursuit escalates the plot into a thriller, forcing the protagonists to confront and overcome this threat to secure their present-day happiness, often by uncovering truths about their shared history.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their unique blend of epic, destiny-driven romance and tense, personal thriller elements. The shared core is the conflict between a 'correct' fated path and a 'wrong' but powerfully persistent past connection, creating a specific mix of passion, suspense, and dramatic tension.

High-stakes romance thrillers similar to Raabta

Love stories where the central relationship is threatened by immediate, physical danger. Fans of the tense, fast-paced drama in Raabta will enjoy these romance thrillers where love is put to the ultimate test. Explore more movies like Raabta that combine passionate relationships with kidnapping, danger, and a race against time for a happy ending.

  • romantic
  • suspenseful
  • anxious
  • passionate
  • danger
  • kidnapping
  • Tone: tense, passionate, anxious
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves establishing a strong romantic bond between protagonists, which is then immediately jeopardized by an external threat—often a kidnapping, pursuit, or a single-minded antagonist. The plot becomes a race against time, blending action or thriller sequences with the emotional journey of the couple working together to survive and preserve their relationship.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific vibe: the seamless intertwining of passionate romance with the adrenaline of a thriller. The pacing is typically fast, the tone is tense, and the central question is whether love can conquer not just differences, but dire physical danger.

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Every angle

Raabta (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Raabta in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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