Sultan

Sultan

Year: 2016

Runtime: 170 min

Language: Tamil

Director: Ali Abbas Zafar

ActionDramaSportRomance

A small-town wrestling champion, Sultan Ali Khan, sets his sights on Olympic gold, while the ambitious Aarfa seeks to achieve her own goals. Their lives intersect, sparking a passionate romance complicated by fierce rivalry. As they strive for victory, they must confront the challenges of competition and the pain of potential failure, learning valuable lessons about perseverance and the pursuit of dreams.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Sultan (2016) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Sultan (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Sultan Ali Khan, portrayed by Salman Khan, is an ex-wrestling champion in his middle age, leading a mediocre and lonely existence in a small town in Haryana. Meanwhile, Aakash Oberoi, the ambitious founder of a private mixed martial arts league, is encouraged by his father to recruit an Indian wrestler to rejuvenate the league’s dwindling popularity. When Aakash visits Haryana to make an offer to Sultan, he is met with a firm refusal, as Sultan claims he has completely retired from wrestling. Curious about Sultan’s retirement, Aakash speaks with Sultan’s close friend, Govind, who shares the story of Sultan’s rise and fall.

Flashback eight years: Sultan’s life changes when he meets Aarfa Hussain, a talented state-level wrestler and the daughter of a local coach. At first, Aarfa is cold to Sultan, but they gradually become friends. When Sultan declares her as his girlfriend, Aarfa dismisses him, expressing her desire to marry an accomplished wrestler. Driven by love, Sultan commits to grueling training routines and impressively wins a state-level wrestling tournament, eventually earning Aarfa’s affection.

Their marriage leads to both becoming celebrated wrestlers, proudly representing India in various international tournaments, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. Just as they prepare for the Olympic Games, Aarfa discovers she is pregnant. Making a significant sacrifice, she relinquishes her Olympic dreams, allowing Sultan to shine instead. However, as Sultan basks in glory, he grows arrogant, ignoring Aarfa’s concerns about her impending childbirth. While pursuing yet another championship, tragedy strikes—upon his return, he learns that their newborn son has died due to severe anemia, a loss tied to his rare blood type. Enraged and heartbroken, Aarfa decides to leave Sultan and return to her father, plunging him into profound despair.

In the present, Aakash presents Sultan with an enticing opportunity to join his league, promising that the tournament’s prize money could help Sultan fulfill his dream of opening a blood bank in Haryana. Despite his physical decline, Sultan decides to accept the challenge, and they travel to Delhi, where Aakash introduces him to Fateh Singh, a seasoned mixed martial arts coach. Under Fateh’s guidance, Sultan undergoes rigorous training and gradually regains his former athletic physique.

Though his initial matches are tough, he eventually triumphs with the unique wrestling style that made him famous. Sultan’s resurgence as a nationwide sensation rekindles support from Aarfa, and during the semi-final, he wins again, only to be met with severe injuries that lay him in a hospital bed. With the doctor warning that further fighting could be fatal, Aarfa finds Sultan during his vulnerable moment and reconciles with him, urging him to persevere. With renewed determination, Sultan grapples with his pain, fighting against all odds to claim victory in the final match and win the tournament.

Reunited, Sultan and Aarfa use the prize money to establish a blood bank, fulfilling Sultan’s long-held dream. A few years later, their family grows with the birth of a baby girl, whom Sultan begins to train as a future wrestler, signaling a hopeful new chapter for their lives.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 17:42

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Sultan?

Still wondering what the ending of Sultan (2016) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the ending of Bogeyman, Sultan’s journey reaches a turning point when he learns about his children, Malek and Mariem, and the truth of their mother’s death. Throughout the film, Sultan has tried to dismiss or ignore his responsibilities, but the discovery that his ex-wife has passed away and that his children have been left without a mother deeply impacts him. He initially struggles with accepting Malek and Mariem, but the emotional connection grows stronger as he realizes how much they need him. This realization transforms Sultan from a ruthless criminal into a man who wants to genuinely protect and care for his children, giving his life a new purpose.

Meanwhile, the scene with the statue and the money reveals the chaos of Sultan’s life. Soka is entrusted with the final job, but betrayal lurks, as Salma, a woman involved with Soka, manipulates the situation to her advantage. Shokry chases Sultan, leading to a series of explosive events, including police interventions and a car crash. Despite the danger, Sultan manages to avoid capture by tricking the police and pretending the money in his possession was a result of self-defense. When he finally finds the bags, they are empty except for a letter from Salma. It turns out she took the money because she believed it was her duty to accept the chaos and find her own way, thinking it was divine intervention.

In the end, Sultan and Soka track down Salma in London, where she is caught trying to sell the statue. When confronted, Salma admits to taking the money, but insists she planned to return it. Sultan’s journey from a feared gangster to a man seeking redemption culminates in this confrontation. Although he might not get all the money back, the story hints at his potential to become a better person for his children’s sake, showing that beneath the rough exterior, there is still hope for change. Salma’s fate remains uncertain, but her mistake seems to serve as a final lesson, illustrating that even in chaos, there can be moments of redemption and the possibility of a new beginning for Sultan.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00

Unlock the Full Story of Sultan

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

Sultan Timeline

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

Sultan Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sultan

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Sultan. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sultan

Sultan Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Sultan? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Sultan Ending Explained

More About Sultan

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

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