The story revolves around three characters: Annapurna, her son Amulya, and Bindubashini, a woman desperate to become a mother. Annapurna's husband Jadab goes through much hardship to pay for his younger brother Madhab's education; years later, Madhab becomes an eminent lawyer. Madhab's wife Bindubashini comes from an affluent family and is strikingly beautiful. Bindu is childless and when she gets to take care of Amulya, her yearning to experience motherhood finds some fulfillment. Sisters-in-law Bindu and Annapurna share a bittersweet relationship. Bindu respects Annapurna and the latter reciprocates by showering a lot of affection on her. But they have frequent rows over household chores. One day, they have a major disagreement over Amulya's upbringing. The disagreement proves to be irreconcilable. As a result, the two families split. The after-effects of this disagreement reverberate between the two estranged families for a long time.

A family must come to grips with its culture, its faith, and the brutal political changes entering its small-town world.