Noor Nizami, portrayed by Aditya Roy Kapur, is a 13-year-old boy from a humble Kashmiri family, juggling his studies and a part-time job as an errand boy to help support his household. One fateful night, he encounters a wounded man named Moazzam who pressures him into providing food and water. Noor, fearful and compassionate, shelters Moazzam in his room without informing his sister Ruksar or her husband Junaid, under whose roof he resides. However, with the army closing in, Moazzam is forced to flee, leaving Noor in a whirlwind of secrecy and turmoil.
His employer, Begum Hazrat Jahaan, played by Tabu, is a wealthy widow who has retreated into a life of sorrow within her dilapidated mansion. She relies on Noor to manage errands such as shopping and mailing letters, and it’s through Junaid, who once worked on her roof, that Noor gains this job. Alongside his duties, Noor nurtures the horses in Begum’s stables and uncovers his infatuation for her daughter, Firdaus, represented by Katrina Kaif. Unfortunately, Begum disapproves of their connection and sends Firdaus away to an elite boarding school, harshly advising Noor to "become something in life" before dreaming of a future with her daughter. As Noor grapples with unrequited feelings, tragedy strikes as Ruksana falls victim to a terrorist attack, leaving him shattered.
Fast forward ten years, Noor has blossomed into a talented young man with aspirations of attending a prestigious art school in Delhi. However, funds remain an obstacle until he unexpectedly wins a scholarship courtesy of an anonymous supporter who has recognized his artistic flair during a school event. Moving to Delhi, he encounters Firdaus and Begum again, and under the guidance of his mentor, Leena Becker, Noor prepares to showcase his work at the India Art Symposium in just 6 weeks.
The art exhibition becomes a resounding success, propelling Noor into the upper echelons of the art scene. Amidst numerous chance meetings, he starts to believe that it is Begum who is funding his education. Meanwhile, Firdaus is engaged to Bilal, a Pakistani diplomat; nevertheless, the spark between her and Noor is undeniable, reviving their intimate friendship from childhood. Noor reveals his personal art collection deeply inspired by Firdaus, leading them down a romantic path culminating in their first intimate moment. Yet, complications arise when Firdaus feels compelled to return to Kashmir to her mother, which prompts Noor to follow her.
Upon arriving at Begum’s estate, Noor is met with her patronizing attitude, but he remains hopeful that beneath her tough exterior, she is his unseen benefactor. However, as Noor garners recognition for his art, Begum becomes increasingly apprehensive about Firdaus’s feelings for him. The anguish rooted in her own past relationship influences her behavior, leading her to push Firdaus towards the more secure choice of Bilal.
During an art event in London, Noor discovers the shocking truth: his scholarship is not a gift from Begum but rather a scheme set up by Moazzam, the man whose life he saved long ago. This realization shakes Noor to his core, exposing him to the truth of Begum’s manipulations and the dimensions of her rage towards her former lover who abandoned her. Confronted with her actions, Begum’s denial spirals into a fit of anger, revealing her deep-seated desire for revenge against her past, which she has projected onto Noor.
Despairing, Noor destroys his artworks, links to his memories of Firdaus, ultimately leading to a tragic turn of events when Begum succumbs to her overwhelming pain and takes her own life. At her funeral, Firdaus uncovers a hidden photograph of young Mufti and Hazrat, realizing the depth of her mother's unresolved love and, in that moment of clarity, recognizes her own enduring feelings for Noor. This revelation propels her to break off her engagement with Bilal and embrace a future alongside the man who truly loves her, Noah.
