Set in January 1980, inside a police van, ACP Afaaque Baaghran (Anil Kapoor) listens intently to the harrowing tale of a gangland figure, Manya Surve (John Abraham), who is gravely wounded, his body riddled with bullets. Manya, a small-time gangster, prides himself on not being a "Chya", after a bitter confrontation with Dilawar*.
Back in 1970, Manya Surve, a promising student at Kirti College in Dadar, balances his academic strengths with his charming personality. He just completed his exams, all while his girlfriend Vidya Joshi (Kangna Ranaut) attempts to coax him into sharing answers. Manya resolutely tells her that their love won't distract him from his goals. Understanding his dedication, Vidya urges him to introduce her to his family. However, during a significant family meeting, they are interrupted by Manya's older brother, Bhargav Surve, a gangster with ambitions to take down the underworld kingpin Nitesh Dhamne (Ranjeet).
The situation escalates when Bhargav is ambushed by gang members, leading to a violent confrontation where Manya intervenes, resulting in a fatal stabbing. On the day results are released, both brothers find themselves arrested by Insp. Ambolkar (Raju Kher) and confined in Yerawada Prison. Inside, Manya narrowly escapes an assault from fellow inmate Potya, thanks to the timely help of another convict, Munir (Tusshar Kapoor). Unfortunately, during the chaos, Bhargav is killed, leaving Manya devastated.
As time goes on, Manya develops strength under the mentorship of fellow inmates, ultimately engaging in a brutal fight against Potya, whom he decisively defeats.
Fast forward to 1978, as the notorious Mastan gang holds Mumbai in a grip of fear, Afaaque faces the harsh limitations of law that prevent him from countering their reign of terror. With no witnesses willing to come forward, he feels powerless. However, local editor Siddique encourages a strategy involving petty crooks Zubair and Dilawar to help dismantle the gang. Through a dangerous alliance, they achieve success in capturing key members of the gang, stirring the precarious balance of power in the underworld.
Manya and Munir, after making their strategic escape during a labor assignment, seek to ally with the Haksar brothers. While Zubair, the more affable brother, shows interest in recruiting Manya, Dilawar proves to be adversarial. Manya responds by forming his own gang, which includes Munir and sharpshooter Gyancho, setting off a series of increasingly bold bank heists and confrontations to claim a share of the profit from local protection rackets.
The narrative builds as Manya confronts Bhaskar, discovering his brother's past and how he was a pawn in Bhaskar's ruthless games. In an act of revenge, Manya kills Bhaskar, and as fate intertwines their lives, he rekindles his romance with Vidya, who reveals that he had actually excelled in his exams with a 78% distinction.
As Manya’s reputation grows, Afaaque becomes increasingly alarmed by the implications of Manya's rapid ascent within the criminal underbelly of the city. The violent cycle continues when Yasin and Batla, released from jail, retaliate against Siddique, prompting Zubair and Dilawar to exact revenge.
The story culminates in a precarious peace meeting, where Manya is caught in a deadly scheme between the two gangs, ultimately leading him to betray Zubair. This act irrevocably changes the alliances in the underworld, resulting in a tragic confrontation as Afaaque weighs the decision of who to eliminate—Manya or Dilawar. Choosing the former, Afaaque lays a trap, leading to a dramatic showdown in Wadala, where Manya is mercilessly gunned down.
As he is transported to the hospital, bleeding and recounting his life, the echoes of his choices resonate within the gritty landscape of Mumbai's streets.
