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Selfie (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Selfie (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 76 mins · Italian
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Directed by
Agostino Ferrente
Starring
Pietro Orlando, Alessandro Antonelli

Set in a housing project in Naples, the film follows Alessandro and Pietro, two teenagers who use an iPhone to document their lives and the challenges of their neighborhood. Initially built to provide housing for those displaced by the war, the area has become a struggling community. Through their lens, the film explores their daily experiences, the realities of poverty, and the powerful friendship that connects them.

Documentary Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (7)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (4)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Every angle
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7 main characters · contains spoilers

Selfie Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Selfie (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Vijay Kumar

    A film actor whose US trip is delayed due to a missing driving licence, triggering a public relations crisis. He is driven, stubborn, and willing to confront systemic obstacles, ultimately choosing responsibility and truth over headlines.

    • 🎬 Celebrity
    • 🧭 Responsibility
    • 🗣️ Public image

  • Om Prakash Aggarwal

    A Motor Vehicle Inspector whose quest for power leads him to authorize a licence illicitly. He is passionate about duty but becomes entangled in a political-fanatic power struggle, facing consequences for his actions.

    • 🧰 Bureaucracy
    • 🏛️ Power
    • 🎭 Fan culture

  • Naina

    Vijay's wife, who requires surgery, bringing personal urgency into the public drama. She is supportive and practical, driving decisions that affect both family and career.

    • 🩺 Health
    • 💞 Family
    • 🕊️ Hope

  • Suraj Diwan

    Vijay's rival who plots to suppress competition using occult means. He is calculating and ambitious, using manipulation to influence outcomes and public perception.

    • 🌑 Rivalry
    • 🧪 Tactics
    • 🗣️ Media manipulation

  • Minty

    Om's wife caught in the crossfire of public dispute. She reflects the personal toll of bureaucratic power and media sensationalism on family life.

    • 💬 Family dynamics
    • 🛡️ Loyalty
    • 🪪 Identity

  • Pietro Orlando (Himself)

    A cameo appearance by Pietro Orlando playing himself, adding a meta element to the film’s self-referential world.

    • 🎬 Cameo
    • 🗺️ International influence

  • Alessandro Antonelli (Himself)

    A cameo appearance by Alessandro Antonelli playing himself, contributing to a sense of real-world celebrity presence within the film.

    • 🎬 Cameo
    • 🗺️ International influence

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 23:54

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6 characters · 10 connections · contains spoilers

Selfie Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Selfie: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
VKVijay KumarOPOm PrakashAggarwalNNainaSDSuraj DiwanMMintyVTVimla Tiwari

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 23:54

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Setting

Where and When Does Selfie Take Place?

The setting of Selfie (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Present day

Set in contemporary India, the story unfolds against the backdrop of modern media, live coverage, and bureaucratic processes. The plot hinges on real-time decisions, license regulations, and the pressure of public scrutiny. It reflects current dynamics where celebrity culture intersects with governance and personal life.

Location

Bhopal, India

Bhopal is the film's primary setting, a city where government offices, media glare, and political maneuvering intersect. The action centers around RTO buildings, a hospital, a media-filled residence, and a public square where announcements and confrontations unfold. The city’s bustle mirrors the chaos of fame, bureaucracy, and public judgment that drives the plot.

  • 🗺️ Bhopal
  • India
  • 🏛️ Bureaucracy
  • 🎬 Film production

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 23:54

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4 major themes

Selfie Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Selfie (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Fame & Media

    Public attention shapes both the character's choices and the film's events. Fame invites scrutiny, and media pressure propels the plot. A celebrity's every move is broadcast, influencing career prospects and personal relationships. The film critiques the spectacle surrounding idol culture and the power of publicity. By amplifying rumors, the press can undermine trust and trigger a public storm.

  • Power & Corruption

    Authority figures can bend rules to serve personal gain, as seen in the illicit license deal. The plot contrasts personal loyalty with institutional procedures, revealing how shortcuts threaten safety and fairness. The story probes the temptations of power and the consequences of abusing it. It asks whether integrity can withstand pressure from fame, politics, and self-interest.

  • Reconciliation

    Despite rising tensions, the narrative builds toward a resolution through dialogue and accountability. Characters confront misunderstandings, reveal truths, and renegotiate trust with the public. The arc emphasizes forgiveness and the possibility of restoring reputation after a crisis. It suggests that transparency can mend fractured relationships and public faith.

  • Family & Sacrifice

    Naina's medical needs anchor the story in personal stakes beyond fame and politics. The plot examines family obligations, care, and sacrifice under public scrutiny. Choices are weighed not just by ego or success but by the well-being of loved ones. The film uses these pressures to humanize its larger social critique.

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 23:54

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Character & theme questions

Selfie Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Selfie (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The film is set in Bhopal, India, a city where government offices, media coverage, and political maneuvering intersect. Key locations include RTO buildings, a hospital, a media-filled residence, and a public square where announcements and confrontations unfold.

  • bhopal
  • setting
  • location
  • india
  • rto
  • city
Q2

What time period is the film set in?

The story is set in present-day contemporary India, unfolding against the backdrop of modern media, live coverage, and bureaucratic processes. It reflects current dynamics where celebrity culture intersects with governance and personal life.

  • present day
  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern india
Q3

What are the main themes explored in the film?

The film explores several interconnected themes: Fame & Media, examining how public attention shapes choices and invites scrutiny; Power & Corruption, showing how authority figures can bend rules for personal gain; Reconciliation, focusing on dialogue and accountability to restore trust; and Family & Sacrifice, centering on personal stakes beyond fame and politics.

  • themes
  • fame
  • media
  • power
  • corruption
  • reconciliation
  • family
  • sacrifice
Q4

Who is the main character Vijay Kumar?

Vijay Kumar is a film actor whose US trip is delayed due to a missing driving licence, triggering a public relations crisis. He is portrayed as driven and stubborn, willing to confront systemic obstacles, ultimately choosing responsibility and truth over headlines.

  • vijay kumar
  • protagonist
  • film actor
  • main character
Q5

Who is Naina and what is her role in the story?

Naina is Vijay Kumar's wife, who requires surgery, bringing personal urgency into the public drama. She is supportive and practical, driving decisions that affect both family and career. Her medical needs anchor the story in personal stakes beyond fame and politics.

  • naina
  • wife
  • surgery
  • family
  • character
Q6

Who is Om Prakash Aggarwal and what is his role?

Om Prakash Aggarwal is a Motor Vehicle Inspector whose quest for power leads him to authorize a licence illicitly. He is passionate about duty but becomes entangled in a political-fanatic power struggle, facing consequences for his actions.

  • om prakash aggarwal
  • motor vehicle inspector
  • authority
  • license
Q7

Who is Suraj Diwan and what is his conflict with Vijay?

Suraj Diwan is Vijay's rival who plots to suppress competition using occult means. He is calculating and ambitious, using manipulation to influence outcomes and public perception against Vijay.

  • suraj diwan
  • rival
  • occult
  • antagonist
  • competition
Q8

How does media and fame influence the story?

Public attention shapes both the character's choices and the film's events. Fame invites scrutiny, and media pressure propels the plot. A celebrity's every move is broadcast, influencing career prospects and personal relationships. The film critiques the spectacle surrounding idol culture and the power of publicity, showing how amplified rumors can undermine trust and trigger a public storm.

  • media
  • fame
  • publicity
  • scrutiny
  • celebrity culture
Q9

What does the film say about power and corruption?

The film explores how authority figures can bend rules to serve personal gain, as seen in the illicit license deal. It contrasts personal loyalty with institutional procedures, revealing how shortcuts threaten safety and fairness. The story probes the temptations of power and the consequences of abusing it, asking whether integrity can withstand pressure from fame, politics, and self-interest.

  • power
  • corruption
  • integrity
  • bureaucracy
  • authority
Q10

What is the film's tone and outcome?

The dominant tone is tense, driven by sustained suspense and anxiety over the star's reputation and career. However, the narrative builds toward a resolution through dialogue and accountability. The ending is happy, with the conflict resolved, the license obtained, misunderstandings cleared, and the protagonist heading toward a positive outcome.

  • ending
  • tone
  • resolution
  • happy ending
  • tense

Movie threads

More Movies Like Selfie, by Mood & Story

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

Urgent Documentaries like Selfie

Fast-paced, immersive documentaries told through the subjects' own lens. Movies like Selfie that drop you into the heart of a story through the eyes of those living it. If you liked the fast-paced, authentic feel of Selfie, you'll find similar immersive documentaries here that capture life in real-time.

  • urgent
  • immersive
  • authentic
  • raw
  • first-person
  • tense
  • Tone: tense, urgent
  • Pacing: fast, immersive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories unfold in real-time, often eschewing traditional narration for a more direct, observational approach. The narrative is driven by the daily lives, challenges, and triumphs of the subjects, creating an organic and compelling journey.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a commitment to on-the-ground authenticity and a fast-paced, urgent feel. They connect through a first-person perspective that creates a powerful sense of immediacy and emotional investment in the subjects' stories.

Time movie poster

Time

2020
The Rescue movie poster

The Rescue

2021
The Forever Prisoner movie poster

The Forever Prisoner

2021
The Other City movie poster

The Other City

2010
The Cove movie poster

The Cove

2009
Fast Track: No Limits movie poster

Fast Track: No Limits

2008
Apollo 13: Survival movie poster

Apollo 13: Survival

2024
Off the Grid movie poster

Off the Grid

2025

Tense Redemption Stories like Selfie

Stories where high-stakes pressure leads to a hopeful, satisfying conclusion. If you enjoyed the high-stakes tension and ultimately happy ending of Selfie, explore these movies. They feature similar journeys through stressful circumstances that build towards a hopeful and redemptive finale.

  • tense
  • high-stakes
  • anxious
  • redemptive
  • hopeful
  • cathartic
  • Tone: tense, redemptive
  • Pacing: fast, building
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves an escalating series of obstacles and conflicts that create sustained tension. The core of the story is the protagonist's struggle against these pressures, which ultimately resolves in a way that renews hope and provides a sense of closure.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared emotional arc: they begin with high-tension scenarios but guide the viewer toward a cathartic and happy ending. The mix of stressful buildup and redemptive payoff creates a specific and satisfying viewing experience.

Honest Thief movie poster

Honest Thief

2020
Changing Lanes movie poster

Changing Lanes

2002
Priceless movie poster

Priceless

2016
Collateral Damages movie poster

Collateral Damages

2004
Unstoppable movie poster

Unstoppable

2018
High Forces movie poster

High Forces

2024
A Guilty Conscience movie poster

A Guilty Conscience

2023
Eenie Meanie movie poster

Eenie Meanie

2025

Every angle

Selfie (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Selfie 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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