Refugee

Refugee

Year: 2000

Runtime: 207 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: J. P. Dutta

DramaRomanceMusic

A human story. The film follows an unnamed Indian Muslim who risks his life to guide illegal refugees from India and Pakistan across the treacherous Great Rann of Kutch. Inspired by Keki N. Daruwalla’s short story “Love Across the Salt Desert,” it portrays compassion amid borders and hardship.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Refugee 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 & Setting – Refugee (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Refugee (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 1970s (1971)

Set in the aftermath of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the narrative follows families forced to relocate across borders. The period is marked by heightened border policing and political upheaval, shaping every decision of the refugees. The timeframe emphasizes the human cost of partition and regional conflict.

Location

Dhaka, Guwahati, Delhi, Ajmer, Bhuj, Haji Peer, Great Rann of Kutch, Indo-Pak border

The story unfolds across a perilous cross-border trek from East Pakistan (Dhaka) through Indian cities like Guwahati, Delhi, Ajmer and Bhuj, toward the Pakistan border at Haji Peer. A stark landscape at the Great Rann of Kutch becomes a dramatic checkpoint on the refugees’ path. The route mirrors the tense proximity of two nations and the precarious lives of those moving between them.

🏙️ South Asia 🚧 Cross-border journey 🗺️ Migration route

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:51

Main Characters – Refugee (2000)

Meet the key characters of Refugee (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Refugee (Abhishek Bachchan)

A pragmatic, morally detached guide who treats his clients as luggage, Refugee moves people across dangerous borders to survive. He gradually confronts the consequences of his actions and forms a complex bond with Nazneen. Ultimately he joins the BSF to fight the terrorists, revealing a capacity for loyalty and courage beyond his mercenary start.

🧭 Border-crossing 🎭 Antihero ❤️ Love

Nazneen Ahmed (Kareena Kapoor Khan)

Daughter of Manzur Ahmed, Nazneen resists an arranged marriage and seeks freedom by crossing borders with Refugee. Her determination and vulnerability drive the emotional core of the story, illustrating the personal stakes behind political upheaval. She embodies hope and the desire for a safer future for her family.

❤️ Love 🧭 Border-crossing 🎭 Courage

Manzur Ahmad (Kulbhushan Kharbanda)

A Bihar-based father whose family migrated in the aftermath of partition, Manzur embodies the trauma and resolve of displaced communities. He pushes for safety and stability for his kin amid shifting borders and uncertain futures. His experiences motivate the journey and highlight generational strains under pressure.

🗺️ Migration 👨‍👦 Family 🎯 Determination

Jan Muhammad (Anupam Kher)

An elderly father figure connected to Refugee, Jan Muhammad provides resilience and support within the migrant network. His presence underscores the familial duties and generational bonds that persist despite displacement. He offers quiet wisdom in a time of upheaval.

🧓 Elderly 🕊️ Hope 🧭 Border-crossing

Raghuvir Singh (Jackie Shroff)

An Indian BSF officer who becomes aware of refugee traffic and navigates the border with a blend of authority and compassion. His role reflects the enforcement side of border politics and the human dimensions of duty. He acts as a bridge between protection and empathy in a tense environment.

🎖️ Authority 🛡️ Protection 🧭 Border-crossing

Mohammad Ashraf (Suniel Shetty)

A Pakistan Rangers officer and Nazneen’s intended fiancé, he embodies the political and personal pressures of cross-border relationships. His presence complicates loyalties and intensifies the stakes for Nazneen’s choices. He represents authoritative power within the border dynamic.

🎯 Duty 🕊️ Conflict 💔 Tension

Amina Mohammad (Reena Roy)

Nazneen’s mother, Amina embodies the family’s endurance and concern for safety amid forced relocation. Her perspective highlights the generational impact of partition and migration on women. She anchors the family’s hopes in a world of uncertainty.

👩‍👧 Family 🧭 Border-crossing 🕊️ Resilience

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:51

Major Themes – Refugee (2000)

Explore the central themes of Refugee (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Border-crossing

The central thread is a perilous journey across the India-Pakistan border, with Refugee guiding families through checkpoints and the watchful eyes of both Indian and Pakistani authorities. The cross-border trek exposes how borders can become both barriers and lifelines. The characters must navigate illegal movement, shifting loyalties, and the constant risk of exposure to danger.

🎭 Love and loyalty

Nazneen’s plea to escape an arranged marriage and flee with Refugee tests loyalties across hostile lines. The romance that buddles between Nazneen and Refugee introduces humanity into a world defined by politics and danger. Their bond challenges the utilitarian view of refugees as mere cargo and questions what people owe to one another when survival is at stake.

💔 Trauma and violence

Explosions in trains, buses, and other targets in Delhi reveal the shocks of political violence spilling into civilian life. The refugees experience physical danger and emotional scars as they endure displacement. The borderlands become a site where fear, loss, and grief are constantly present, shaping the characters’ worldviews.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:51

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 Refugee

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

Refugee Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Refugee, 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.

Refugee Summary

Refugee Timeline

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

Refugee Timeline

Refugee Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Refugee 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.

Refugee Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Refugee

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

Similar Movies to Refugee

Discover movies like Refugee 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.