The film begins with the tragic murder of Shahid Azmi, portrayed by Rajkummar Rao, and then transitions into a flashback that reveals the chaos of the Bombay riots. During these tumultuous times, Shahid witnesses unsettling and cold-blooded acts of violence, which provoke him into fleeing to Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where he briefly undergoes training at a militant camp. Despite this radical experience, Shahid returns to Mumbai, only to find himself arrested under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, facing accusations of conspiring to assassinate several politicians.
While imprisoned, Shahid suffers severe torture at the hands of the police, who compel him to confess to a crime he did not commit. This results in a grueling seven-year stint in Tihar Jail in New Delhi. During his time there, he meets Omar Sheikh, played by Prabal Panjabi, who attempts to indoctrinate him with radical beliefs. However, it is War Saab, portrayed by K K Menon, another inmate, who inspires Shahid to embrace education and continue his studies, despite the grim surroundings.
After being acquitted of all charges, Shahid sets off on a new path by studying law in Mumbai. Equipped with a law degree, he initially works alongside Maqbool Memon, played by Tigmanshu Dhulia, for a few months before embarking on his journey as an independent attorney with the help of his elder brother Arif, portrayed by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. In this new chapter, he meets Mariam, a Muslim divorcee played by Prabhleen Sandhu, and they marry, solidifying his commitment to a new life.
As he takes on cases involving Muslims charged under POTA, Shahid works tirelessly, often pro bono and in collaboration with various NGOs. His first significant legal victory comes when he secures the acquittal of Arif Paanwala, who had been wrongfully arrested in connection with the devastating 2002 Mumbai bus bombing due to a lack of evidence. This success propels Shahid into high-profile cases, including the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul, and the 2006 Malegaon bombings. However, his commitment to defending the accused garners him severe criticism, with anonymous threats posed to his safety, which inevitably affects his family life. At one point, assailants blacken Shahid's face right outside the courtroom, symbolizing the stigma and danger that surrounds his work.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, while representing Faheem Ansari in the legal battle stemming from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Shahid is shot dead in his office by two gunmen. His tragic death occurs just moments before Faheem is ultimately acquitted of all charges by the Supreme Court of India, again highlighting the grave realities faced by those in the line of justice.
Adding an intriguing layer to the narrative, a post-credits scene reveals Shahid’s arduous journey to the militant training camp, a segment originally edited out of the final cut to create a more streamlined story that captivates the audience right to the end.
