The Revolution Has Begun (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in a contemporary Indian district town, serving as a microcosm of modern India where government offices, engineering sites, and media hubs become theaters of power. The setting reflects the intersection of ambition, corruption, and citizen activism.

• setting
• location
• india
• district town
• political setting

The movie unfolds in present-day, early 21st century India, where social media, investigative journalism, and political maneuvering actively shape outcomes. The timeline spans a few years, progressing from quiet personal struggles to nationwide media scrutiny.

• time period
• modern india
• contemporary
• social media era

The film explores how wealth and influence can bend rules and silence dissent, showing the corrupt web linking business, government, and media. It depicts how political decisions directly affect ordinary people, particularly those awaiting compensation for displaced projects.

• power
• corruption
• politics
• government
• business
• media nexus

Investigative journalism and public exposure challenge the corrupt system, with journalists bringing hidden truths to light and mobilizing mass support. Social media campaigns amplify movements but also risk misinformation and personal danger, making the press a battleground where truth and sensationalism compete.

• media
• journalism
• investigative reporting
• truth
• social media

The pursuit of justice confronts a system resistant to reform, with investigations revealing culpability across officials and contractors. Hunger strikes and police crackdowns test moral boundaries and civil courage, leading to accountability that reshapes the political landscape.

• justice
• accountability
• hunger strike
• civil courage
• reform

Characters on opposite sides find common ground in a reformist movement, with individuals seeking to change the system from within. The story ends with a new political force aiming to transform how the system works, suggesting that grassroots action can drive top-down accountability.

• redemption
• reform
• change
• political movement
• grassroots

Manav Raghvendra is an ambitious telecom entrepreneur portrayed by Ajay Devgn who rises from relative obscurity to national influence. He shifts from professed idealism to manipulating people and events to build his empire, testing moral boundaries in his pursuit of power.

• manav raghvendra
• ajay devgn
• entrepreneur
• ambition
• power

Dwarka Anand is a retired teacher played by Amitabh Bachchan who possesses a fierce sense of integrity and confronts greed and corruption directly. He inspires others through his principled stance, facing imprisonment and illness as his anti-corruption campaign escalates.

• dwarka anand
• amitabh bachchan
• teacher
• integrity
• anti-corruption

Balram Singh is a powerful highway minister and district MLA portrayed by Manoj Bajpayee who uses his authority to shield corrupt practices. He suppresses protests with force and manipulates the system to protect entrenched interests, highlighting the costs of maintaining a corrupt status quo.

• balram singh
• manoj bajpayee
• minister
• mla
• corrupt politician

Yasmin Ahmed is a fearless journalist portrayed by Kareena Kapoor Khan who exposes corruption through investigative reporting and stings. She partners with activists to bring broader attention to causes, using media attention to pressure officials and drive the national conversation.

• yasmin ahmed
• kareena kapoor
• journalist
• investigative reporting
• truth

Arjun Singh is a local goon turned ally portrayed by Arjun Rampal who believes in local causes and uses his manpower to mobilize crowds. He remains principled in his own way, resisting authority coercion while working with activists to expose corruption through street-level leadership.

• arjun singh
• arjun rampal
• goon
• activist
• local leadership

Sumitra is Akhilesh's wife portrayed by Amrita Rao who fights to obtain compensation for her husband's district projects. She embodies resilience and hope for a better future, planning to build a local school despite bureaucratic obstacles, highlighting the human cost of governance failures.

• sumitra
• amrita ra o
• resilience
• compensation
• human cost