Bareilly Ki Barfi
Bitti Mishra is a bohemian Bareilly girl who falls deeply in love with Pritam Vidrohi, an author because she admires his progressive way of thinking. Finding him though proves to be as hard as looking for a needle in the haystack. So Bitti seeks the help of the local printing press-owner, Chirag Dubey on her journey of love.
Despite its tight budget of $2.7M, Bareilly Ki Barfi became a commercial success, earning $8.1M worldwide—a 194% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) reveals precise narrative design, characteristic of Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 3 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Bitti Mishra
Chirag Dubey
Pritam Vidrohi
Narottam Mishra
Bitti's Mother
Main Cast & Characters
Bitti Mishra
Played by Kriti Sanon
A free-spirited young woman from Bareilly who rebels against traditional expectations and seeks a partner who truly understands her
Chirag Dubey
Played by Ayushmann Khurrana
A timid, traditional video shop owner who secretly wrote a novel but pretends his friend Pritam is the author
Pritam Vidrohi
Played by Rajkummar Rao
A confident, rebellious railway employee who pretends to be the author of Chirag's novel to help his friend win Bitti's heart
Narottam Mishra
Played by Pankaj Tripathi
Bitti's conservative father who runs a sweet shop and struggles with his daughter's modern attitudes
Bitti's Mother
Played by Seema Pahwa
A traditional housewife who supports her husband but also understands her daughter's desires
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bitti Mishra is introduced as a rebellious, outspoken young woman in Bareilly who smokes, speaks her mind, and refuses to conform to traditional expectations of marriage and femininity.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Bitti discovers a novel called "Bareilly Ki Barfi" at a railway station. Reading it, she finds the female protagonist is exactly like her - rebellious, unconventional, authentic. For the first time, she feels understood and validated.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Bitti decides to actively search for Pritam Vidrohi, the author. She goes to the printing press and meets Chirag Dubey, who claims to know Pritam. Bitti chooses to pursue this mysterious author as her potential soulmate., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: Bitti and the fake Pritam (Munna) begin to form a genuine connection, and their families approve the match. Bitti thinks she's found her soulmate. The stakes are raised as Chirag realizes he's trapped in his own deception., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth is revealed: Bitti discovers that Chirag is the real author of "Bareilly Ki Barfi," and that Munna has been pretending all along. Her entire romance was built on a lie. She feels betrayed and humiliated. The engagement collapses., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Chirag takes responsibility and openly declares his love for Bitti in front of everyone, finally being his authentic self. Bitti realizes she must stop chasing the fantasy of the book and accept real, flawed love. Both choose authenticity over pretense., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bareilly Ki Barfi's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Bareilly Ki Barfi against these established plot points, we can identify how Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bareilly Ki Barfi within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bitti Mishra is introduced as a rebellious, outspoken young woman in Bareilly who smokes, speaks her mind, and refuses to conform to traditional expectations of marriage and femininity.
Theme
Bitti's father tells her mother: "Let her be herself. Why should she pretend to be someone she's not?" The theme of authenticity versus social pretense is established.
Worldbuilding
We see Bitti's world in small-town Bareilly: her loving but traditional parents trying to arrange her marriage, multiple failed matchmaking attempts where suitors are put off by her forthright personality, and her frustration with societal expectations.
Disruption
Bitti discovers a novel called "Bareilly Ki Barfi" at a railway station. Reading it, she finds the female protagonist is exactly like her - rebellious, unconventional, authentic. For the first time, she feels understood and validated.
Resistance
Bitti becomes obsessed with finding the book's author, Pritam Vidrohi, believing he must understand her. She debates whether to pursue this fantasy. Her parents worry about her fixation. She tracks down the publisher in Bareilly.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bitti decides to actively search for Pritam Vidrohi, the author. She goes to the printing press and meets Chirag Dubey, who claims to know Pritam. Bitti chooses to pursue this mysterious author as her potential soulmate.
Mirror World
Chirag introduces Bitti to "Pritam Vidrohi" - actually his friend Munna, a simple saree shop owner. Chirag (the real author) hides his identity. This love triangle becomes the thematic mirror exploring authenticity versus deception.
Premise
The romantic comedy unfolds: Bitti tries to connect with the fake Pritam (Munna), who doesn't match her expectations. Chirag orchestrates their meetings while falling for Bitti himself. Comic misunderstandings and Chirag's growing guilt create the "fun and games."
Midpoint
False victory: Bitti and the fake Pritam (Munna) begin to form a genuine connection, and their families approve the match. Bitti thinks she's found her soulmate. The stakes are raised as Chirag realizes he's trapped in his own deception.
Opposition
Chirag's guilt intensifies as he genuinely loves Bitti but she's committed to Munna. The wedding preparations begin. Chirag tries to sabotage the relationship but fails. Munna starts to truly care for Bitti. The deception becomes increasingly complicated and painful.
Collapse
The truth is revealed: Bitti discovers that Chirag is the real author of "Bareilly Ki Barfi," and that Munna has been pretending all along. Her entire romance was built on a lie. She feels betrayed and humiliated. The engagement collapses.
Crisis
Bitti processes her heartbreak and betrayal. She withdraws from everyone. Chirag realizes the depth of his mistake. Both must confront the central theme: they were both being inauthentic - Chirag by hiding behind Munna, Bitti by chasing an idealized fantasy rather than reality.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Chirag takes responsibility and openly declares his love for Bitti in front of everyone, finally being his authentic self. Bitti realizes she must stop chasing the fantasy of the book and accept real, flawed love. Both choose authenticity over pretense.
Synthesis
Chirag and Bitti reconcile, both having learned to be genuine. They work through their issues honestly. The families give their blessing. Munna finds his own path. The resolution honors the theme: true connection comes from authenticity, not idealization.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Bitti is still rebellious and outspoken, but now she's with someone who loves her for exactly who she is. She's no longer searching for validation in fantasy - she's found authentic connection in reality.