Te3n
A grandfather, police officer and a priest join hands to investigate and find a missing child.
The film underperformed commercially against its small-scale budget of $5.1M, earning $4.8M globally (-5% loss).
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%)
Te3n (2016) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Ribhu Dasgupta's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 16 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes John Biswas, a 70-year-old grandfather, relentlessly visits the police station every day seeking justice for his granddaughter's kidnapping and murder eight years ago, living in a state of obsessive grief and unresolved trauma.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when An identical kidnapping occurs—another child is taken with the same ransom demand and modus operandi as Angela's case eight years ago, forcing everyone to confront the unsolved past and suggesting the killer may strike again.. 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 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to John actively decides to investigate independently, crossing ethical and legal boundaries by inserting himself into the police investigation, marking his transformation from passive victim to active pursuer of truth., moving from reaction to action.
At 68 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat A major breakthrough occurs when they discover a crucial piece of evidence linking the two cases—the kidnapper's voice on the ransom call matches patterns from eight years ago, and they identify a potential suspect, giving hope that justice is finally within reach., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 102 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The new kidnapped child is found dead, and their prime suspect appears to have a solid alibi. John is devastated—he has failed again. The case seems unsolvable, and the weight of two dead children crushes him. His obsession has led nowhere., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 109 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A final piece of evidence or realization emerges—perhaps a connection they overlooked or a revelation about someone close to the case. This new understanding gives them the insight needed to identify the true perpetrator., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Te3n's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Te3n against these established plot points, we can identify how Ribhu Dasgupta utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Te3n within the mystery genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
John Biswas, a 70-year-old grandfather, relentlessly visits the police station every day seeking justice for his granddaughter's kidnapping and murder eight years ago, living in a state of obsessive grief and unresolved trauma.
Theme
A character tells John that "sometimes the living need you more than the dead," establishing the film's central tension between pursuing justice for the past versus embracing the present.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of John's daily routine of pestering the police, his strained relationship with his wife Nancy, Father Martin (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) now a priest after leaving the police force that failed to solve the case, and Inspector Sarita Sarkar (Vidya Balan) who handled the original investigation.
Disruption
An identical kidnapping occurs—another child is taken with the same ransom demand and modus operandi as Angela's case eight years ago, forcing everyone to confront the unsolved past and suggesting the killer may strike again.
Resistance
John becomes convinced this is his chance for justice and begins his own investigation. Sarita reluctantly reopens the case. Martin struggles with whether to help or maintain his distance. The three form an uneasy alliance to find the connection between the cases.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
John actively decides to investigate independently, crossing ethical and legal boundaries by inserting himself into the police investigation, marking his transformation from passive victim to active pursuer of truth.
Mirror World
The relationship between John and the current victim's parents serves as a mirror, showing John his own past grief while forcing him to confront whether his quest for vengeance has consumed him at the expense of healing.
Premise
The investigation unfolds with John, Martin, and Sarita following leads, discovering connections between the cases, examining old evidence with fresh eyes, and slowly piecing together clues that were missed eight years ago.
Midpoint
A major breakthrough occurs when they discover a crucial piece of evidence linking the two cases—the kidnapper's voice on the ransom call matches patterns from eight years ago, and they identify a potential suspect, giving hope that justice is finally within reach.
Opposition
As they close in on the suspect, complications arise—false leads, bureaucratic obstacles, and the suspect's attempts to cover tracks. The investigation becomes more dangerous. The current victim's life hangs in the balance as time runs out.
Collapse
The new kidnapped child is found dead, and their prime suspect appears to have a solid alibi. John is devastated—he has failed again. The case seems unsolvable, and the weight of two dead children crushes him. His obsession has led nowhere.
Crisis
John contemplates giving up entirely. His wife Nancy confronts him about his inability to let go. Martin questions whether they've made things worse. In this darkness, they must decide whether to abandon the pursuit or find another way forward.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A final piece of evidence or realization emerges—perhaps a connection they overlooked or a revelation about someone close to the case. This new understanding gives them the insight needed to identify the true perpetrator.
Synthesis
The final confrontation with the actual killer unfolds. John, Martin, and Sarita combine their skills and knowledge to expose the truth. Justice is finally served, but it comes with the painful recognition of the cost of obsession and the years lost to grief.
Transformation
John finally finds peace, not just through catching the killer, but by learning to let go and honor his granddaughter by living again rather than remaining trapped in the past. He can finally move forward with Nancy.