| Director | Nagesh Kukunoor |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama film |
| Runtime | 124 min |
| Country | India |
Zeenat is an independent Muslim woman who lives in Himachal Pradesh. She marries her boyfriend, Amir Khan, who then leaves for Saudi Arabia to work.
Meera is a traditional Rajasthani Hindu woman who leads a life in accordance with custom. This includes her arranged marriage into a traditional Rajasthani family, as well as her daily household chores. Her husband, Shankar, also works in Saudi Arabia. He regularly sends his wages home to support his family, including his father, Randhir Singh, his mother and his grandmother. When the remittances stop and there is no correspondence from Shankar, Meera learns that he was killed in a freak accident allegedly caused by his Muslim roommate. She is devastated by the news.
The ceremonies that turn her into a widow are emotionally draining. Her exuberance and vivaciousness are stifled. The rest of the family direct their frustration at losing their sole provider towards her, blaming her for bringing bad luck to the family.
Then Zeenat hears that her husband has been arrested for murdering his roommate in Saudi Arabia. Amir is scheduled to be executed. An Indian officer explains that, under Saudi law, a criminal can be released if the wife of the victim forgives them. Armed only with a photograph of Shankar and Amir, Zeenat sets out to find Meera. En route, she meets a behrupiya with a talent for mimicry and the performing arts. However, he proves to be a petty con man when he tricks Zeenat and steals her belongings. When Zeenat gets into trouble, however, he returns to rescue her, using his talents. He shows empathy when she tells him her story and offers to help. After making some educated guesses, they reach Jodhpur and identify the Singh haveli. When Zeenat asks the Singh family to forgive Amir for his mistake, they become angry and drive her away.
Thinking that befriending Meera might further her cause, Zeenat approaches her at the temple she visits daily. However, she is too afraid to tell Meera the truth and does not reveal who she is. Nevertheless, they become good friends and spend most of their time together. Their friendship brings out the missing part of each other's personalities. Meera gets a glimpse of freedom, which helps her to break free from tradition and gives her a new perspective on life.
The Singh family owes money to Chopra, a local factory owner. When Randhir asks for more time to repay the debt, Chopra makes him an offer: he will forgive the debt in exchange for Meera. Randhir accepts. When news of the death sentence arrives, Zeenat feels compelled to tell Meera the truth. Meera is hurt by the fact that their friendship was based on false pretences, and she refuses to sign the maafinama (statement of forgiveness). She makes it clear that she wants to hurt her husband's murderer, even though it was an accident, because she is suffering in her new, veiled life.
Zeenat is hurt, but she accepts it as fate and decides to leave. However, Meera has a change of heart due to her disillusionment at Randhir's willingness to 'sell' her to Chopra. She hurries to the railway station, where she gives Zeenat the signed statement of forgiveness. Zeenat extends her hand from the train and Meera grabs it, climbing aboard and running away from the only life she has ever known.