The government of Pakistan has made the significant decision to reevaluate unresolved cases concerning Indian prisoners as a gesture of goodwill. Enter Saamiya Siddiqui, a promising Pakistani lawyer, portrayed by Rani Mukerji, who takes on the challenging task of defending prisoner 786 in what marks her first case in the legal arena. Despite facing harassment from the jailor, played by Akhilendra Mishra, during her visits to the prison, Saamiya possesses an unwavering determination to seek justice.
The man behind prisoner 786 is none other than Rajesh Rathore, who has been silenced for an astounding twenty-two years. However, when Saamiya calls him by his true name, Veer Pratap Singh, portrayed by Shahrukh Khan, he finally opens up to her, sharing the haunting tale of his past.
Flashback to twenty-two years earlier, we meet Zaara Haayat Khan, brought to life by Preity Zinta. She embodies the spirit of a young Pakistani woman who is self-reliant and full of life, embarking on a journey to India with the ashes of her beloved Sikh governess, Zahida Bebe. Guided by her heart, Zaara follows Bebe’s dying wish to scatter her ashes in the Sutlej River, a sacred Sikh site.
As fortune would have it, the bus transporting Zaara encounters a disastrous accident, leading to her precarious situation. It is Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh who heroically comes to her rescue, maneuvering a helicopter in an intense rescue operation. In a moment of vulnerability, Zaara insists on retrieving her bag of ashes, a decision that causes Veer to reflect on the weight of her mission.
Their shared experiences culminate in a deep bond as Veer shows Zaara his village during the Lohri festival, where they meet his loving foster parents—Choudhary Sumer Singh and Saraswati Kaur. The warmth of his family and their humble beginnings strike a chord with Zaara, inspiring her to advocate for girls' education in the village. Amid their time together, Veer's budding feelings for Zaara become undeniable.
As Zaara prepares to return to Pakistan, her heart is torn between her family’s expectations and her developing love for Veer. Just before boarding her train, Veer confesses his love, only to watch her leave—a moment heavy with unspoken emotions. Upon her return, Zaara grapples with her passion for Veer against her obligation to marry Raza Shirazi, making choices that may hinder her personal happiness for her family's honor.
Simultaneously, Veer, unable to shake his love for Zaara, makes a bold decision to quit the Indian Air Force and venture into Pakistan to reclaim her. However, Raza's jealousy spirals into a calculated move that lands Veer in prison, framed as a spy. Fast forward twenty-two years later, this dramatic saga brings Saamiya and Veer back together as she confronts the monumental task of proving his innocence.
Journeying to prove his identity, Saamiya learns the crucial role Zaara plays in this narrative, as she has quietly devoted herself to carrying out Veer’s vision for their village in India. Their final reunion is a culmination of their struggles and sacrifices, as Zaara testifies in court, culminating in a judge’s apology and Veer's release.
The story closes as Veer and Zaara exchange heartfelt farewells to Saamiya and the land of Pakistan, embracing a future together at the iconic Wagah border crossing, leaving behind a legacy of love and resilience.
