Barfi is a romantic comedy film released in 2012 that revolves around the lives of three

characters - Jhilmil Chatterjee, Barfi and Shruti Ghosh.The story is set in Kolkata and
Darjeeling. The story goes around how the three individuals that come from different walks of
life, cross paths and become a big part of each other’s lives. The story is set in mostly Kolkata
and Darjeeling. To explain the dynamics, the movie constantly juggles between the present day
and flashbacks from 30-34 years in the past. The film also touches upon themes of disability,
social stigma, and the power of human connection.

The movie begins in present-day Darjeeling. Barfi is an old man who has been hospitalized.
Soon we are introduced to the second important character of the movie, Shruti. It is clear from
the beginning that Shruti cares deeply about Barfi and they share a deep bond. While she is
travelling to Darjeeling, we are taken back in time to where Shruti is a young college graduate.
This is also when we get to know that Barfi has hearing impairments; he lives with his father
who coincidentally works for Jhilmil’s family. The plot begins to unfold and Shruti and Barfi fall
in love. However, this was short-lived. Shruti soon realizes that she would not be able to break
through the shackles of the narrow-minded society and live happily with Barfi. She soon gets
married.

The second part of the story begins with Barfi meeting Jhilmil. Jhilmil suffers from Autism
Spectrum Disorder. Due to dysfunctional family dynamics, her maternal grandfather sent her to a
school where she was properly taken care of. Around the time Barfi and Shruti are together, her
grandfather gets sick and Jhilmil is sent back to live with her family. Her grandfather soon
passed away. The plot builds up and Barfi and Jhilmil, despite their differences, create an
unbreakable bond and fall in love.

Overall, Barfi is a heartwarming film in which we see the main characters grow and evolve as
they navigate their relationships with each other and the world around them.