Satyagraha

Satyagraha

Year: 2013

Runtime: 152 min

Language: Hindi

Director: Prakash Jha

Drama

A son's yearning for his father initiates a wave of emotional challenges. A grieving father's suffering intensifies his desperation, while a passionate young woman rediscovers her ability to love. Simultaneously, a leader's determination to enact change clashes with the ruthless goals of a powerful ruler, igniting widespread resistance and rebellion. The resulting conflict explores themes of loss, love, and the fight for justice.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Satyagraha 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 – Satyagraha (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Satyagraha (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2010s

The events unfold in a contemporary India, where social media campaigns and mass mobilizations increasingly influence public policy. The period emphasizes a modern democratic landscape with citizen-led pressure on authorities. The storyline reflects a time when traditional politics meets new-age activism, reshaping how justice is sought.

Location

Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, India

Ambikapur serves as the central setting for the political drama, depicted as a typical Indian district town where citizens confront injustice and demand accountability. The city frames the movement from local grievances to national attention, illustrating the ripple effect of activism. Its streets become the stage for protests, rallies, and governmental responses that shape the narrative's momentum.

🏙️ Ambikapur city 🗳️ Political backdrop 🇮🇳 India

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:58

Main Characters – Satyagraha (2013)

Meet the key characters of Satyagraha (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dwarka Anand (Amitabh Bachchan)

A retired teacher and ex-principal with a steadfast belief in justice. He embodies moral courage, challenging bureaucratic power and sparking a wide-reaching movement. His willingness to risk personal freedom for public welfare highlights the film’s core ideal of principled leadership. His actions catalyze the chain of events that drive the activism forward.

🧭 Idealist 🎓 Educator ⚖️ Justice-seeker

Akhilesh (Indraneil Sengupta)

Dwarka’s engineer son, initially supportive of his father’s ideals. His unexpected death in a staged road accident becomes a catalyst for public outrage and mobilization. The tragedy personalizes the fight against corruption and accelerates the movement's urgency. He embodies the costs borne by ordinary families in the struggle for justice.

💼 Engineer 🛠️ Tech-savvy 👪 Son of Dwarka

Sumitra (Amrita Rao)

Akhilesh’s wife who faces systemic denial of compensation despite persistent appeals. She joins the broader protest, representing the middle-class grievances demanding accountability. Her role highlights how personal hardship fuels collective action. She becomes a symbol of resilience within the community’s fight for justice.

👩 Wife 💬 Public petitioner 💪 Determined

Manav (Ajay Devgn)

A friend of Akhilesh and an ambitious capitalist who initiates a social media-driven campaign to free Dwarka. He harnesses modern communication tools to mobilize citizens and galvanize public opinion. His involvement demonstrates how private interests can intersect with public activism for systemic change. He helps catalyze the formation of a reformist political agenda.

💼 Capitalist 📣 Campaigner 🌐 Social media advocate

Balram Singh (Manoj Bajpayee)

A powerful minister and the mastermind behind Akhilesh’s murder. He uses political influence to suppress claims and manipulate outcomes. His actions trigger riots and a brutal crackdown, underscoring the corrupt machinery at the heart of the conflict. His eventual downfall exposes the vulnerabilities of entrenched power.

🏛️ Minister 🔗 Power broker 🕳️ Manipulator

Arjun Singh (Arjun Rampal)

A journalist and ally who collaborates with Manav to channel the movement into a broader political platform. He leverages media influence to shape public perception and pressure authorities. His strategic involvement showcases the power of information in democratic reform. He represents the integration of journalism and activism within the campaign.

📰 Journalist 🗺️ Strategist 🗣️ Amplifier

Yasmin (Kareena Kapoor Khan)

A journalist who documents the agitation and amplifies the voices of the oppressed. She provides critical coverage that sustains momentum and informs national discourse. Her reporting frames the ethical questions surrounding state violence and civil rights. She embodies the role of the press as a public watchdog during a political crisis.

🗞️ Journalist 🎯 Activist journalist 🧭 Observer

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:58

Major Themes – Satyagraha (2013)

Explore the central themes of Satyagraha (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Nonviolent Resistance

The film centers on peaceful means to challenge power, prioritizing moral authority over force. Dwarka Anand guides others toward nonviolent action, even as tensions rise. The movement demonstrates how civic discourse, public morale, and organized protests can pressure authorities. Tragedy underscores the cost of principled nonviolence, while leaving a legacy of activism.

💼 Corruption

Corruption is depicted as a pervasive force that distorts justice and protects elite interests. The mastermind Balram Singh wields political influence to suppress complaints and manipulate outcomes. The narrative shows how bureaucracy and power can entrench inequality, fueling public anger. The struggle centers on unveiling wrongdoing and demanding accountability.

🗳️ Democratic Reform

The plot arcs toward political renewal through citizen-driven change and regional political action. Dwarka’s movement catalyzes the formation of a party aimed at eradicating graft and reforming governance. The story explores how democratic processes and new coalitions can recalibrate a flawed system. It emphasizes that lasting reform arises from collective action and legal avenues.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:58

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about civic anger sparked by personal grief like Satyagraha

A personal tragedy ignites a crusade against systemic corruption and injustice.If you were moved by how Satyagraha connects a father's grief to a national protest, you'll find similar powerful dramas here. These movies feature protagonists whose personal tragedies compel them to challenge corrupt institutions, blending heavy emotional journeys with urgent political stakes.

grievingangrypoliticaldeterminedurgentmoral conflictrighteous

Narrative Summary

Stories typically begin with a profound personal loss that exposes a wider societal flaw. The protagonist's journey of grief transforms into a determined quest for accountability, often pitting them against a seemingly unbeatable establishment. The plot follows the escalation from private sorrow to public confrontation, exploring the heavy costs of activism.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their powerful fusion of intimate emotional weight—specifically grief and loss—with high-stakes political conflict. The shared experience is one of righteous anger, where a character's personal vendetta evolves into a principled stand for justice, creating a tense, morally charged atmosphere.

Bittersweet protest movement dramas with costly victories like Satyagraha

Stories where the fight for justice is noble, but the final victory comes at a great personal cost.For viewers who appreciated the complex, bittersweet ending of Satyagraha, this list features similar movies about social justice. These films focus on nonviolent resistance and political change, but emphasize the heavy personal toll and tragic sacrifices that make the victory feel poignant and incomplete.

hopefultragicdeterminedpoliticalmoral conflictsomberresistance

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows the rise of a mass movement challenging an oppressive power. The focus is on the strategic and moral dimensions of the struggle, often highlighting nonviolent resistance. The climax typically involves a major sacrifice—such as the death of a key figure—that galvanizes the movement but renders the ultimate success deeply sorrowful.

Why These Movies?

They share a specific emotional arc: a determined, hopeful fight for a righteous cause that concludes not with pure triumph, but with a somber, bittersweet resolution. The central theme is the price of change, creating a unified vibe of solemn hope and the weight of sacrifice.

Unlock the Full Story of Satyagraha

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

Satyagraha Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Satyagraha, 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.

Satyagraha Summary

Satyagraha Timeline

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

Satyagraha Timeline

Satyagraha Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Satyagraha 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.

Satyagraha Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Satyagraha

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