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Timeline

Vimanam (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 147 mins · Malayalam
Directed by
Pradeep M. Nair
Starring
Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sudheer Karamana, Lenaa, Saiju Kurup, P Balachandran, Alencier Ley Lopez

Vimanam portrays the inspiring true story of Saji Thomas, a man from Kerala who overcame significant challenges. Born with speech and hearing impairments, Saji relentlessly pursued his dream of flight. Through incredible determination and ingenuity, he constructed a lightweight aircraft using recycled materials, accomplishing a remarkable feat without any external assistance and demonstrating the power of perseverance.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Vimanam (2017)

Where can you watch Vimanam? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Sun Nxt: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Vimanam Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Vimanam (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Padma Bhushan award for aircraft designs

    In the present day, Professor J. Venkiteshwaran is honored with a Padma Bhushan for the planes he designed for the Indian Air Force. The award highlights a lifetime dedicated to aviation and cements his status as an innovator. The ceremony also sets up the emotional arc of his past catching up with him through Janaki’s daughter.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    India (present day)
  2. Gouri calls to request meeting with terminally ill Janaki

    On the phone, Gouri explains that her mother Janaki is terminally ill and asks him to visit as a last wish. The request pulls him back toward memories of his youth and the woman who believed in his dreams. It marks the film's bridge between present concerns and past passions.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Phone call from his home
  3. Flashback begins on the train

    On the return train, the narrative shifts into a flashback that traces Venkidi's early years. We witness a bright boy who is bullied for wearing a hearing aid, yet who clings to his dream of flight. The train ride becomes a portal to the origin of his aviation obsession.

    When
    Flashback begins
    Where
    Train
  4. Bullying at school due to hearing aid

    A young Venkidi endures bullying at school because of his hearing aid, despite his clever mind. The taunts erode his confidence but also harden his resolve to prove himself through flight. He clings to his dream of building and flying aircraft as a escape from ridicule.

    When
    Childhood
    Where
    School
  5. Dream of flight and first aircraft attempt

    Venkidi channels his passion into an improvised aircraft project, tinkering with makeshift parts. He tests prototypes and fails repeatedly, yet his patience and ingenuity never waver. This effort cements his lifelong love of aviation.

    When
    Childhood
    Where
    Workshop
  6. Love blossoms with Janaki

    During his pursuit of flight, Venkidi falls in love with Janaki, who believes in his dream. Their relationship grows from shared hopes and mutual sacrifice. They dream of a future among the clouds, united by a common goal.

    When
    Youth
    Where
    Village
  7. Planning a new aircraft and stealing car for parts

    Venkidi and Janaki decide to build a new aircraft, spurring them to source components even by risky means. He steals Janaki's father's car to obtain critical parts, illustrating the lengths he will go for his dream. The act foreshadows consequences and tests their bond.

    When
    Youth
    Where
    Village
  8. First flight over the village; crash injures arm

    The new aircraft lifts off and flies over the village, marking a moment of shared triumph. The flight ends in a crash that injures Venkidi's arm, forcing him to confront the costs of risk. The accident becomes a turning point in his path to mastery.

    When
    Shortly after start
    Where
    Village airstrip
  9. Janaki's father forbids the romance

    Janaki's father learns of their relationship and tries to sever the couple's ties, fearing the ramifications of their union. The prohibition deepens the emotional toll and tests their resolve. Venkidi's dream remains a beacon, but the price has grown steeper.

    When
    After the first flight
    Where
    Family home
  10. Second flight proves his skill

    Venkidi fixes the aircraft and takes off again, achieving a successful second flight. The triumph reinforces his engineering prowess and determination. Yet the shadows of the stolen car linger, complicating his relationship with Janaki's family.

    When
    Later
    Where
    Village airstrip
  11. Arrest for stealing the car

    News of the stolen car comes to light and Janaki's family pushes authorities to act, leading to Venkidi's arrest. The legal consequences interrupt his ascent and force a painful separation from the dream. The jail becomes a new stage for reflection on duty, love, and ambition.

    When
    Shortly after second flight
    Where
    Police detachment / jail
  12. In jail, learns of Singapore plan

    While imprisoned, Venkidi learns that Janaki will be sent to Singapore for higher studies and will marry someone there. The news amplifies his sense of distance and loss, while also stirring a determination to reconnect someday. The revelation reframes their future in distant terms.

    When
    During imprisonment
    Where
    Jail
  13. Allowed visit leads to bold move

    During a permitted jail visit, Venkidi secretly retrieves his aircraft and flies past Janaki as she boards her flight. The audacious gesture is a desperate, romantic attempt to say goodbye. Security and fate intervene as the moment passes in a flash.

    When
    During jail visit
    Where
    Airport / boarding area
  14. Crash landing and police escort

    The impulsive escape flight ends in a crash at the airport, and he is escorted away by police. In the confusion, he catches a final glimpse of Janaki, confirming the distance between them despite their shared history. The scene seals a bittersweet separation between memory and longing.

    When
    Immediately after the jailbreak flight
    Where
    Airport
  15. Present day reunion and fulfilled dream

    Back in the present, Janaki and her daughter visit Venkidi in his hometown. He finally fulfills his lifelong dream by flying his old aircraft with Janaki, completing a circle from youth to a quiet, shared victory. The moment ties memory to reality in a hopeful, forward-looking finale.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Hometown / airfield

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:19

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Timeline questions answered

Vimanam Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Vimanam (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Venkidi bullied at school?

Venkidi was bullied because he wore a hearing aid due to his speech and hearing impairments. The other children mocked him for his disability, which eroded his confidence but also strengthened his determination to prove himself through his dream of building and flying aircraft.

Foreshadowing: His early childhood experience of being bullied sets up the emotional motivation behind his relentless pursuit of flight as a way to escape ridicule and prove his worth.

  • bullying
  • hearing aid
  • disability
  • childhood
  • motivation
Q2

Why did Venkidi steal Ananthan's car?

Venkidi stole the car to gather critical parts needed to build his aircraft. With no financial resources and limited access to materials, he and Janaki decided the only way to obtain the necessary components was to take the car and sell it for parts, despite knowing it was risky and illegal.

Foreshadowing: The theft demonstrates the extreme lengths Venkidi would go for his dream, foreshadowing the consequences that later lead to his arrest.

  • car theft
  • aircraft parts
  • stealing
  • ambition
Q3

Why was Venkidi arrested after his successful flight?

Venkidi was arrested because Ananthan discovered his car had been stolen and reported the theft to authorities. Even after his successful second flight demonstrated his engineering skill, the legal consequences caught up with him and he was taken into custody.

Foreshadowing: The arrest marks a turning point that separates Venkidi from Janaki and sets up the bittersweet airport scene.

  • arrest
  • jail
  • car theft
  • police
  • consequences
Q4

Why did Janaki's father forbid her relationship with Venkidi?

Janaki's father forbade the relationship after learning about their romance and likely disapproved of Venkidi's background, his disability, and his reckless behavior including the car theft. The social stigma around his circumstances made him an unacceptable match in the father's eyes.

Foreshadowing: The father's prohibition creates the emotional barrier that ultimately leads to Janaki being sent away and marries someone else.

  • janaki father
  • forbidden love
  • relationship
  • opposition
Q5

What did Venkidi learn while he was in jail?

While imprisoned, Venkidi learned that Janaki was being sent to Singapore for higher studies and would soon marry someone else there. This news devastated him and intensified his determination to see her one last time before she left.

Foreshadowing: This revelation directly motivates his desperate escape and flight to the airport to say goodbye.

  • jail
  • singapore
  • janaki marriage
  • news
Q6

Why did Venkidi fly his aircraft to the airport where Janaki was leaving?

During a permitted jail visit, Venkidi secretly retrieved his aircraft and flew past Janaki as she boarded her flight to Singapore. It was a desperate, romantic gesture to say goodbye and show his love for her one last time before they were permanently separated.

Foreshadowing: This bold act represents the culmination of his passion, both for flight and for Janaki, combining his two greatest loves in one final moment.

  • airport
  • farewell
  • flight
  • janaki
  • romantic gesture
Q7

How does the present day connect to Venkidi's past in the film?

The film uses a flashback structure where Professor Venkiteshwaran, honored with the Padma Bhushan in present day, receives a call from Gouri (Janaki's daughter) about her terminally ill mother. This triggers memories of his youth, showing how his past dreams and romance with Janaki shaped his entire life journey.

Foreshadowing: The present-day reunion fulfills the emotional promise established throughout the flashbacks, completing his personal story arc.

  • flashback
  • present day
  • timeline
  • structure
Q8

What happened during Venkidi's first flight attempt?

Venkidi's first successful flight over the village ended in a crash that injured his arm. While it was a moment of triumph to soar above his village, the crash demonstrated the risks of his dangerous experimentation and forced him to confront the physical costs of pursuing his dream.

Foreshadowing: The injury and crash didn't stop him, he repaired the aircraft and flew again, showing his unwavering determination.

  • crash
  • injury
  • first flight
  • aircraft crash
Q9

How did Venkidi and Janaki reunite in the present day?

In the present day, Gouri (Janaki's daughter) contacted Venkidi after her mother became terminally ill, requesting he visit as a final wish. This brought him back to his hometown where he was reunited with Janaki and her daughter, culminating in him taking to the skies again with Janaki by his side.

Foreshadowing: The reunion represents the fulfillment of the emotional thread that began with their painful separation at the airport.

  • reunion
  • janaki
  • gouri
  • present day
  • fulfilled dream
Q10

What is the significance of Vimanam being based on a true story?

Vimanam is inspired by the true story of Saji Thomas, a man from Kerala born with speech and hearing impairments who built his own aircraft from recycled materials and flew it successfully without any external assistance. The film dramatizes his journey of overcoming significant physical and social challenges to achieve his dream of flight.

Foreshadowing: The true story foundation adds emotional weight to the narrative, emphasizing that the protagonist's perseverance led to real achievements including designs for the Indian Air Force.

  • true story
  • saji thomas
  • real life
  • inspiration

Movie threads

More Movies Like Vimanam, by Mood & Story

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

Triumphant underdog journeys like in Vimanam

Inspiring tales of determined individuals conquering extraordinary obstacles. A collection of movies like Vimanam, featuring inspiring stories of individuals overcoming significant challenges. If you enjoyed watching Saji's determination lead to triumph, you'll find similar uplifting journeys of perseverance here.

  • inspiring
  • uplifting
  • dramatic
  • hopeful
  • sentimental
  • perseverance
  • Tone: hopeful, inspiring
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a straightforward arc where a protagonist with a deep-seated dream confronts a series of serious setbacks, often related to personal limitations or societal expectations. The narrative builds steadily towards a climax where the character's unwavering resolve is rewarded with a tangible and emotionally satisfying achievement.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on hope and human resilience. They balance dramatic challenges with an ultimately uplifting tone, providing a medium-emotional-weight experience that emphasizes triumph over tragedy, making them perfect for viewers seeking inspiring and satisfying stories.

Movies about dreamers and grand visions like Vimanam

Stories of ambitious quests fueled by romance and nostalgia. Discover films similar to Vimanam that follow a character's passionate pursuit of a grand dream. If you were inspired by Saji's aviation quest, explore these other stories where romance and nostalgia fuel a journey of invention and adventure.

  • dreamy
  • inspiring
  • romantic
  • nostalgic
  • adventure
  • perseverance
  • Tone: hopeful, sentimental
  • Pacing: steady, purposeful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a protagonist with a singular, almost obsessive dream. The plot follows their step-by-step progress, which is often motivated or supported by a romantic relationship. The pacing is steady, allowing the audience to invest in the dream's evolution, leading to a climax that validates the character's vision and effort.

Why they belong together: These films share a cohesive mix of an adventurous plot, a strong romantic subplot that provides emotional motivation, and a nostalgic, dreamy mood. They offer a steady, medium-intensity experience that is more about the inspiring journey than high-stakes drama, perfect for viewers who enjoy sentimental and optimistic stories.

Every angle

Vimanam (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Vimanam 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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