Plot

Sanjay is on a pilgrimage journey to Varanasi and remembers his life in flashbacks.

Sanjay wanted to study art, but his domineering father, an engine-driver in retirement after a crippling injury, insisted that a railway job, with its security, was the best thing for him. So Sanjay ended up as a train conductor, unhappy with the career forced upon him, and the mechanical, meaningless life that he lives. In the course of his duty on the train, he runs into a working girl, Shalini and feels attracted to her. His father hears about his interest in Shalini, strongly disapproves of it and intervenes in Sanjay's life once again. Unable to stand up to his father, Sanjay soon finds himself married to a village girl. Life becomes even more unbearable for Sanjay. He takes to wandering and seeks comfort in drink and brothels. One final chance comes his way to break loose from his shackles and plan a new life with Shalini.

Anna (Om Shivpuri) and his son, Sanjay (M.K. Raina) live in a small town. Anna is a train-driver and works for the Railways. One day his train meets with an accident and he his right leg gets paralyzed. When Sanjay grows up, Anna gets him a job with the Railways as a Ticket Checker. Sanjay gets accustomed to his job so much that he starts more and more time on the train then in his house. During his travels he comes across a young lady passenger, Shalini (Raakhee). They meet often and explore having a relationship. Thinking that Shalini wants to marry him, he accompanies her to meet her grandfather and two siblings. He is shocked when Shalini introduces him as a married man, working as her co-worker. Sanjay, in disbelief, must find out why Shalini lied about this marital status and his employment with the Railways. His father finds out about his affair with Shalini, and arranges his marriage with another girl from the village. Sanjay, reluctantly marries but is unable to get Shalini out of his mind and heart.—rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)