Bombay

During a visit to his coastal Tamil Nadu village, Shekhar notices Shaila Banu and is drawn to her. The two begin to know each other, and Shekhar's affection for Shaila grows into a quiet romance. The budding relationship sets the stage for tensions with their families due to religious differences.

Shaila's father Basheer rejects the match, citing religious differences. Narayana Pillai, Shekhar's orthodox father, confronts Basheer and the two exchange a heated argument. The opposition from both sides fractures the prospects of an easy union.

Upset by the rejections, Shekhar returns to Bombay. Through a friend, he sends Shaila a letter along with a ticket to travel to Bombay. The plan plants the seeds for a long-distance approach to the relationship.

Basheer learns of Shaila's regular letters from Shekhar and tries to arrange a marriage for her to prevent the relationship from growing. Facing limited options, Shaila eventually leaves the village with the ticket and travels to Bombay. She reaches the city seeking a new life with Shekhar.

Shaila arrives in Bombay and the couple marries, beginning a happy life together. Shekhar continues his work as a journalist while Shaila takes care of the home. The union blends their lives despite the earlier family opposition.

Within a year of their marriage, Shaila conceives and gives birth to twins Kabir Narayan and Kamal Basheer. The twins are raised in both Hindu and Muslim cultures, reflecting their parents' intercultural life. The family settles into a balanced routine among work, home, and communal harmony.

Six years into their marriage, Shekhar and Shaila enjoy a stable home with their children. Narayana Pillai and Basheer occasionally visit and share in the grandchildren's upbringing. The two families begin to imagine a future of coexistence beyond old religious divides.

On 6 December 1992, the Babri Masjid demolition sparks violent riots across Bombay. The children go out to buy groceries and become separated from their parents in the chaos. The family fights to stay together as violence erupts across the city.

Narayana Pillai rushes to Bombay to be with his son and family, and reconciles with them. Basheer and his wife soon join them, and the extended family tries to weather the turmoil together. For a few days, they share safety and solidarity amid the upheaval.

On 5 January 1993, another wave of communal killings erupts, sparking a fresh round of Hindu-Muslim clashes. The family's apartment is set on fire as they scramble to evacuate. Kamal and Kabir become separated from their parents amid the chaos.

Kamal is rescued by a transgender woman, and Kabir roams the city in search of his brother. Shekhar and Shaila search through morgues and hospitals, grieving and hoping for news of their children. The couple's determination becomes the emotional core of the film's tragedy and resilience.

Despite the chaos, Shekhar joins other moderate religious leaders in a movement to end the riots. His efforts, alongside those of community leaders, help to bring calm and eventually an end to the violence. The family is reunited with their children when the clashes subside, and people join hands regardless of faith.