Description

Now in their late 30s, Rama and Umesh are a well-settled couple.They have everything - a beautiful home, a mature and understanding marriage, the privilege to live life on their terms, and a family that has stood by them through thick andthin. After deciding to not have a child, Rama andUmesh have entered a new phase of their life. A phase called 'what's next?' The question is not as daunting to Umesh as it is to Rama, but she doesn't show it, ever. The story begins when Rama has applied for a four-month sabbatical from her corporate job to shake things up for herself. Like always, Umesh supports her wholeheartedly. Rama wants to open a clothing line of her own. On a Sunday lunch at Rama's parents' house, the topic of the table inevitably becomes her 'future.' While her elderly parents have a restrained point of view, her cousin, Nikhil and his live-in girlfriend, Sakshi, both in their mid-20s, find her stance bold and beautiful. Nikhil and Sakshi, have recently moved to the city and rented a place together. Rama was never close to Nikhil, but they reconnect over lunch and a new relationship blossoms. Sakshi invites Rama and Umesh to their housewarming party the same evening. Rama is lured in by a promise from Sakshi to introduce Rama to her friends who are running successful clothing brands. The housewarming party atNikhil andSakshi's house isfun, soulful andeverything cool. While some soothing music intoxicates the atmosphere, Rama andUmesh together meet newpeople, have deepconversations, share drinks andlaugh heartily. Nikhil, Sakshi, their friends andtheir wayof living isblissfully charming. They arenot just party animals, they areintelligent people whoalways seekenriching experiences. They aredeeply inlove anddon't shy from expressing their affection. The dayends with a heart full ofnew energy for the couple, butfaint envy that we don'thave all that anymore. Arewe becomingold and boring?Rama seems most affected yet inspired to turn around her life andto addto her joy, her sabbatical getsapproved. Umesh wakes with the sound of a wailing toddler. Rama walks into the room baby-talking to a year-old toddler clasping tight onto her. Before Umesh can get into his wild imagination about the baby, Rama explains that the baby belongs to their new neighbours- Swapneel and Gauri. Swapneel and Gauri are in their 30s. They are a perfect family of four - Swapneel, Gauri, little Kavya and their dog. Umesh leaves for work, and Rama, all by herself, sits to pick a name for her new business. She's also helping Swapneel and Gauri with their house, reliving moments of her and Umesh's life when they first moved into this house. After many failed options, with inputs from Swapneel and Gauri, Rama finds the name 'Kala - a sustainable clothing brand.' She creates a basic logo and launches her brand, feeling accomplished and delighted. 'Kala' has become a serious venture for Rama or maybe a distraction, but right now she's calling it her long awaiting passion. Sakshi shows Rama around the textile markets and her friends put Rama in touch with good vendors and artisans. Rama and Umesh spend more time with Nikhil and Sakshi since Sakshi is helping Rama get her brand established. The more time they spend with Nikhil and Sakshi, Rama fully gets under the spell of their infectious energy. Umesh connects better with their new neighbors, Swapneel and Gauri. Umesh, in nature, has always been more conventional than Rama. Rama is moving ahead fiercely with her brand. She has narrowed down on tailors, fabrics, and styles she wants to execute, and her first sample pieces are in the making. However, just readying sample pieces has consumed every minute of her time, and her stress levels are through the roof. Sakshi is more excited than Rama, and by pulling some strings, she gets Rama a spot in an exhibition. Rama isn't sure about participating in the exhibition, looking at the number of pieces she'll have to create. But this brand is her 'passion,' and she can't look weak. Rama gathers herself and gets down to budgeting, profit margins, and finally, the creative process. Umesh is helping her through all of it, but soon, it gets overwhelming for Rama. On one such busy day, Rama's parents come over to help Rama with work. The whole family sits prepping for the exhibition. Rama's father watches Rama's mother enjoying the work. In a tender moment between Rama's parents, her father apologizes to his wife for never letting her pursue any businesses in the past. Rama and her mother portray different sides of a coin; the former has support but lacks the vision, and the latter has the vision but lacks the support. Her parents tell Rama that on the day of the exhibition, there is a wedding in her family. Rama gets an excuse to bunk the exhibition. Umesh tries to explain to her that the exhibition is more important than a distant wedding, but Rama has found many reasons to justify her actions. She informs Sakshi that she can't do this exhibition, which upsets her. Later that day, Rama confides in Umesh, saying that she needs a team and can't do it all alone. Rama and Umesh set up her office space in one of the spare flats of Umesh's parents. Rama hires three girls—Rashmi, 26; Divya, 20; and Purva, 20. Rashmi comes from a small town and has graduated in fashion despite all odds. Divya and Purva are interning. Rashmi soon becomes Rama's right hand; they begin creating more designs and pieces. However, even after this step, Rama feels something lacking in her. What is it? She wonders, or maybe she knows but doesn't want to accept. While her inner turmoil remains unresolved, she gets an order to design clothes for the 'sangeet' through family contacts. Rashmi pushes Rama to take the order. After a tiring day at work, to relieve stress and unwind, Rama invites Nikhil and Sakshi over to their house. On the same day, Umesh invites Swapneel and Gauri since they've just arrived from their family vacation. In an impromptu meet-up, the three couples end up hanging out together. Umesh has found his place in this new friendship and is passionately discussing his project with Swapneel and Nikhil. Sakshi and Gauri also connect. But for Rama, it all starts weighing down on her. To complete the sangeet order, three girls and Rama begin spending a lot of time in the office. Rashmi is a smart girl, and Purva and Divya are the life of the office and provide non-stop gossip. The day of the fitting arrives, and Rama is well-prepped. However, the trial goes miserably wrong. Some clothes are loose, some are tight, and almost all the clothes lack finishing touches. She gets looks from the family as if they've made a mistake by appointing her. The bride starts to panic. Rama is on the verge of tears, and Rashmi arrives with the tailor to save the day. Rashmi handles the situation calmly and smartly. She addresses everyone's problems, provides solutions, and knows exactly what to do with the wrong fittings. The day is saved, but Rama has some serious retrospection awaiting. After listening to Rama's nightmare of a trial, Umesh asks her a simple question: 'why are you doing this?' What follows after is a vicious confrontation between the couple. Umesh voices his concerns regarding her lack of vision, effort, passion, and concentration for her business. He explains to her that if she wants to pursue business, she'll have to let go of her safety net of a corporate job and money. First, it becomes a blame game of who did what, and then it turns into a conversation. Rama accepts that their decision not to have a baby shook her, and she wanted something to look forward to.