Thappad

Amrita and Vikram are newlyweds living a seemingly content life, with Amrita tending the home and supporting her husband. The story presents a harmonious facade that will soon be tested by external pressures. Their early happiness is the quiet backdrop for the storms to come.

During a party celebrating Vikram's promotion, he learns that the accolade has been compromised by a junior relative of his boss. He argues with his superior Rajhans in front of guests, while Amrita tries to intervene to reduce the scene. In the heat of the moment, Vikram slaps Amrita publicly after telling her to stay out.

The slap leaves Amrita shaken and forces her to see the everyday misogyny she had tolerated. She realizes that a husband who truly respects her would not strike her, nor withhold an apology. This moment becomes a turning point that challenges the couple's dynamics.

Unable to forget the incident, Amrita moves to her parents' home and files for divorce. She does not seek alimony, insisting only that Vikram has no right to hit her and that the slap opened her eyes to an unhappy reality. The decision shocks her family but remains firm.

Amrita discovers she is pregnant, adding urgency to the dispute over their future. Vikram and his lawyer manipulate the narrative to win sole custody of the unborn child. Amrita responds by preparing to file a domestic violence charge unless he agrees to divorce and joint custody.

Hurt and determined, Amrita files a domestic violence charge as leverage, while Vikram settles for a divorce. The legal maneuvering frames the next phase of their separation and custody discussions. The confrontation is driven by a desire to protect the unborn child and redefine their relationship.

Back at work, Vikram learns that his promotion is reinstated, much to his surprise. Rajhans openly admits that the night of the incident was entirely Vikram's fault and that slapping Amrita was wrong. The boss’s comments reveal a critical acknowledgment of the misogynistic dynamics at play.

Amrita speaks to Sulakshana, her mother-in-law, in the presence of both families, explaining that no one asked if she was okay after the slap. Sulakshana apologizes and acknowledges the family's misogyny, affirming that Amrita is doing the right thing. The scene marks a personal moral reckoning for the wider family.

When Amrita and Vikram meet in court to finalize the divorce, Vikram apologizes for the first time. He reveals that he rejected the promotion and quit his job, promising to become someone who deserves her. The divorce is finalized, and they part ways with a sense of renewed hope.

With the divorce behind them, Amrita and Vikram part ways, each with a renewed sense of possibility. The film closes on a note of empowerment and cautious optimism about what lies ahead when respect and accountability underpin a relationship.