Raincoat (film)

Manoj, an unemployed man from Bhagalpur, travels to Kolkata in search of financial help after deciding to start a business. He stays with his friends Alok, a successful television producer, and his wife Sheela. Alok suggests asking Manoj's former classmates for money through letters, but Manoj, embarrassed by the idea, instead decides to seek help in person. While planning his visits, he learns that one of the addresses belongs to Neerja, the woman he was once engaged to marry before she wed someone else.

Armed with a list of contacts, a mobile phone, and a raincoat provided by his friends, Manoj spends the day collecting donations and eventually raises ₹12,000. He then visits Neerja, who warmly welcomes him into her home while sheltering from heavy rain. Although she claims to be happily married and living comfortably, Manoj notices signs of her anxiety and isolation. Both conceal the truth about their lives: Manoj falsely presents himself as a wealthy television producer, while Neerja insists that her husband is successful and that their affluent lifestyle is genuine.

As they reminisce about the past, Manoj recalls how devastated he was when Neerja's marriage was arranged. Neerja, meanwhile, grows jealous after overhearing a phone call from Sheela, whom Manoj claims is his secretary. She leaves the house to buy him food, insisting he remain inside. During her absence, Manoj encounters the landlord, who reveals that Neerja and her husband are actually in severe financial difficulty. Her husband lost his job after being defrauded and has since turned to fraudulent schemes, leaving the couple unable to pay their rent. Neerja's fear of opening the door stems not from burglars but from creditors and eviction. Moved by her situation, Manoj gives the landlord the ₹12,000 he had collected to cover three months' rent and asks him to delay any eviction proceedings.

Before leaving, Manoj writes Neerja a letter explaining that he has learned the truth and would have helped her regardless, had they married. He hides the letter beneath a sofa cover. When Neerja returns, the two continue pretending that their lives are prosperous while quietly acknowledging their lingering affection. Manoj eventually departs without revealing his own financial struggles.

Back at Alok and Sheela's home, Manoj admits he no longer has the money he collected, frustrating Alok. Later, Sheela gives him an envelope she discovered in the pocket of the raincoat. Inside are Neerja's gold bangles and a letter revealing that she had found the appeal letter describing Manoj's financial hardship. She gently rebukes him for hiding the truth and offers her jewelry to help him, writing that, had they been married, he would never have refused her support.

• Ajay Devgn as Manoj "Mannu" Tripathi
• Aishwarya Rai as Neerja "Neeru"
• Surekha Sikri as Mrs. Tripathi, Mannu's mother
• Annu Kapoor as Landlord
• Sameer Dharmadhikari as Alok
• Mouli Ganguly Sheila^[2]
• Gulzar as poet (voice)

Debajyoti Mishra experimented with the music of the film. The songs are all background numbers. Classical singer Shubha Mudgal provided her voice for the title track.