The plot centers around Gulabji, a prostitute living in a fantasy city that calls to mind many real world equivalents without being any place in particular. She tells the story of Raj, a newcomer to town who makes everyone happier just by existing. But when he falls in love with the mysterious Sakina, he is dismayed to learn she is in love with someone else.
The film is an adaptation of "White Nights", an early short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
The film contains the following tropes:
- Almost Kiss: Even when Sakina briefly considers having a relationship with Raj, she can't bring herself to let him kiss her.
- Bare Your Midriff: Gulabji.
- Blithe Spirit: Raj.
- Break the Cutie: Sakina, as she waits for Imaan.
- Crowd Song: Chabeela. But maybe Gulabji forced her friends to rehearse it, in case Raj showed up for her birthday or something.
- Determined Widow: Lillipop.
- Dogged Nice Guy: Raj's approach to his feelings for Sakina. To creepy effect, at times.
- Downer Ending: Sure, Sakina rejects Raj. It gets better: The two of them may only have been figments of Gulabji's lonely imagination. And Raj might have been inspired by Lillipop's son, who died many years ago. So, yes, Lillipop's lonely, too. And always has been.
- Fantasy Counterpart Culture: In addition to India, Italy and Russia also appear to be represented.
- Fanservice: Raj in a towel dancing. Towel slips. Just watch this
. Epitome of Fanservice for females. He was mocked thoroughly for this by Shah Rukh Khan. But Shah Rukh Khan immediately proceeded to do a 5 minute song that just consists of water and abs...so.... - Gorgeous Period Dress: So much of what Sakina and Gulabji wear.
- Homage: Many to Raj Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor's grandfather.
- Hooker with a Heart of Gold: Gulabji.
- Impractically Fancy Outfit: Raj's clothes are ... interesting. Pretty, but interesting.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Raj's reaction when Imaan shows up to take Sakina away.
- Love at First Sight: Cue the song Masha-Allah.
- Love Dodecahedron: Gulabji loves Raj who loves Sakina who kinda sorta likes Raj but really just loves Imaan...
- Love Makes You Evil: When Raj burns Sakina's letter to Imaan.
- Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Raj is arguably a rare Spear Counterpart to this.
- The Masochism Tango: Some of this, with Raj and Sakina.
- May–December Romance: Sakina and Imaan.
- Mood-Swinger: Sakina. Imaan even makes fun of her for it.
- The Nicknamer:
- "Can I call you Lillipop?"
- Gulabji. She insists on calling Raj "Saawariya."
- Non-Actor Vehicle: Neither Sonam Kapoor nor Ranbir Kapoor had ever acted in a movie before, let alone starred in one. They are, however, both
the offspring of two famous actors (with Ranbir Kapoor just one member of a whole acting dynasty.) - Relationship Upgrade: Subverted. Sorry, Raj.
- Scenery Porn: So, so much.
- Tall, Dark, and Snarky: Imaan.
- Wet Sari Scene: Sakina in her sari gets caught in the rain an awful lot.
