| Director | Mrinal Sen |
|---|
In the 1930s, a group of tribals live in a small village in Odisha amidst wild animals, such as tigers and boars. Apart from the problems faced by the tribals from the animals that ruin their crops, they also suffer at the hands of greedy moneylenders and police informers. Around this time, a newly posted British administrator arrives at the village who happens to have a passion for hunting. He befriends Ghinua, a native tribal who is also an exceptional archer. The two make a deal in which Ghinua will be rewarded if he brings down a "big game".
Later, Sholpu, a young revolutionary, surreptitiously comes into the village to meet his mother. Knowing this, the police informer chases him down until he reaches his house but returns after seeing the entire village turn against him. However, he waits for his turn to punish Sholpu. Suddenly, there is a robbery in the village and one policeman is killed. The blame falls on Sholpu and the administrator declares a reward for his head. The informer takes the opportunity and kills Sholpu, thereby claiming the reward. Sholpu's death creates tension between the tribals and non-tribals. During this time, Dungri, Ghinua's wife, is abducted by a moneylender. Ghinua kills the moneylender to bring his wife back. Thinking that the time has come for the "big game", he goes happily to meet the Sahab, the administrator. The Sahab, however, hangs him for committing a murder. Until his death, Ghinua fails to understand why for the same action one is rewarded while the other is punished.