Darashikoh, commonly known as Daru, is a young banker living in a modest house in Lahore. Orphaned at a young age, he harbors deep insecurities about his socioeconomic status compared to his wealthy peers. He loses his job early in the summer due to his refusal to show deference to a wealthy client, which accelerates his financial instability. He attempts to project an image of success while secretly struggling to pay for basic utilities like electricity.

Mumtaz is a young woman who has recently returned to Lahore from New York with her husband and infant son. She feels suffocated by the traditional expectations of being a society wife and struggles to find fulfillment in domestic life. Independent-minded and seeking her own purpose, she is deeply ambivalent about the wealthy, corrupt social circles her husband inhabits. She works quietly as a freelance writer to carve out an identity separate from her family.

Aurangzeb, known as Ozi, is Darashikoh's childhood friend who enjoys the comforts of extreme wealth. He benefits directly from his father's corrupt political and financial dealings, driving an expensive SUV and living behind security gates. He moves easily through Lahore's elite social circles, projecting confidence and a sense of entitlement that frequently alienates Darashikoh.

Murad is a large, bombastic rickshaw fleet operator who supplements his income through illicit means. He presents himself as a champion of the poor with Marxist ideals, though his grand speeches often mask his self-serving nature. He speaks in outdated English slang to project an air of education and frequently criticizes the air-conditioned elite of Pakistan.

Manucci is Darashikoh's domestic servant. Originally rescued from the streets by Darashikoh's mother after he attempted to pickpocket her, he relies entirely on his current employer for his livelihood and housing. He bears the brunt of Darashikoh's worsening financial instability and volatile temper.

Khurram is a retired Federal Secretary whose vast wealth comes from heavily scrutinized and corrupt channels. He served in the military alongside Darashikoh's late father and took it upon himself to assist Darashikoh's family after his death. He expects total deference in exchange for his financial and social patronage.

Professor Superb is an academic who previously taught Darashikoh. He bears a name inherited from a colonial-era conversion and holds pointed theories about Pakistan's class divides, often using air-conditioning as a metaphor for social inequality. He provides external commentary on the shifting cultural dynamics of Lahore.

Fatty Chacha is Darashikoh's uncle, a man of modest means who attempts to maintain family traditions. He expresses concern over his nephew's career prospects and general well-being, though his inquiries often irritate Darashikoh. He provides small, reluctant financial loans to keep his nephew afloat.

Dadi is Darashikoh's grandmother. She carries the deep emotional scars of the 1947 partition and the 1971 civil war, having lost both her husband and her eldest son to the historical divisions of the subcontinent.

Muazzam is the infant son of Aurangzeb and Mumtaz. His existence is a source of tension for Mumtaz, who feels ill-equipped for motherhood and relies heavily on a nanny for his daily care.

Dilaram is the madam of an infamous brothel in Lahore. Forced into sex work after surviving violence in her youth, she eventually took control of the business from her abuser, demonstrating sharp survival instincts in a hostile society.

Jamal is Darashikoh's sixteen-year-old nephew who has ambitiously started a new internet business. His early entry into the business world earns Darashikoh's reluctant admiration, along with some worry about him being exploited by partners.

Raider is a former banking colleague of Darashikoh's. He represents the casual drug use of Lahore's professional class and inadvertently encourages Darashikoh's transition into dealing by requesting large quantities of hash for resale.