The story is set around the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Javed Khan (Shashi Kapoor) is a feckless feudal chieftain, whose world revolves around breeding carrier pigeons. His younger brother, Sarfaraz Khan (Naseeruddin Shah) is politically awakened and actively plots the fight for Indian Independence. Freedom fighters attack the local British administrators while they are in Sunday Worship at Church, massacring them all. Miriam Labadoor (Shashi Kapoor's real-life wife, Jennifer Kendal) manages to escape with her daughter, Ruth (Nafisa Ali) and seeks refuge with the wealthy Hindu family of Lala Ramjimal (Kulbhushan Kharbanda). Lala, is torn between his loyalties for India and his privileged position under the British. However, matters are taken out of his hand by Javed Khan who barges in Lala's house and forcibly takes away Ruth and her family to his own house. This leads to jealousy on part of his wife, Firdaus (Shabana Azmi) and anger on part of his brother, who ultimately gives in to the Indian tradition of offering hospitality and sanctuary even to uninvited guests. Various situations ensue due to cultural misunderstandings in the domestic routine of the Muslim household with its new English guests. Javed falls in love with Ruth, and wants to marry her but is opposed bitterly by her mother. There are simmerings of a love affair under the watchfull, suspicious eyes of Firdaus.
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