Shaadisthan

The family misses their flight from Mumbai to Ajmer, and Arshi, who had earlier hidden herself, returns only after her mother's phone plea. They have no choice but to reframe their plan and join a traveling music troupe instead. The delay sets a cautious tone for the trip as everyone hesitantly prepares to travel by bus.

Cholu's father Papaji learns the troupe will be on the same bus to Ajmer and arranges to travel with them. He is uneasy about their habits—expletives, drinking, smoking—especially early in the morning. The agreement marks the start of a fragile, uneasy alliance.

Sasha is the troupe's lead singer, with Imad and Jigme as other members. Sasha is modern and blunt, clashing with Papaji's expectations about 'noise'. Arshi remains silent and withdrawn as the others begin to interact.

Gradually, Arshi's parents and the troupe start to interact more freely, breaking the initial chill. The shared music and laughter begin to bridge the gap between them. The atmosphere softens though undercurrents of discomfort remain.

The troupe steps out for a break while the family stays inside. Papaji scolds Arshi for her stone-cold mood, triggering her to cry and seek the troupe's comfort. Arshi reveals she turns 18 the next day and will be engaged at Cholu's wedding, and she questions the future she is being pushed toward. She confesses she ran away to a friend's place but returned because her mother cried and pleaded.

Arshi articulates that she cannot imagine a future with an unknown husband at such a tender age. Her mother shows care but has quietly submitted to archaic societal expectations under pressure from extended family. The conversation exposes a rift between personal desire and cultural obligation.

In the evening they reach Udaipur and Papaji steps away for personal matters. The troupe and family detour to Tiger's hotel, where Tiger becomes a gracious host. Arshi's mother is hesitant at first but slowly enjoys the warmth, and boundaries begin to loosen.

The night at Tiger's hotel brings music and laughter as everyone relaxes and bonds begin to form. The hosts' hospitality helps soothe the day’s tensions and softens some of the guards around Arshi and her parents. The mood shifts from unease to a shared sense of possibility.

The group heads to a Dhaba to rest, and the Dhaba owner wakes Arshi's mother with news from Cholu and Papaji. She rushes to relay their location, realizing the family needs to reconnect with the troupe. The moment marks a turn from casual travel to a more urgent family commitment.

Jigme realises that Tiger had laced their tea with opium, adding a surreal layer to the night's events. The group’s sleep is disturbed, and Arshi's mother and Sasha engage in a pointed, intimate exchange about personal freedom and sacrifice. Sasha challenges the mother’s choices while praising her family loyalty.

The next day they reach the wedding venue and settle into their rooms. Papaji faces humiliation from his sister and brother-in-law for bringing only half a million rupees, instead of the expected amount. The confrontation forces him to rethink the social expectations that shape his daughter’s future.

On the eve of the wedding, Arshi asks to spend the night with the troupe. Sasha conveys the request to Arshi's mother, and they discuss the idea with increasing candor. Her mother acknowledges the merit in the argument and admits that, like music notes, people have different paths, signaling a shift in her views about norms.

The following day, the entire family boards the music troupe's bus back to Mumbai. They do so with a renewed sense of unity and a reframed understanding of personal choice within family dynamics. The journey home marks a hopeful ending that blends tradition with broader possibilities.