Set in the backdrop of riot-stricken Pakistan at the time of the partition of India in 1947, the film deals with the plight of emigrant Sikh and Hindu families to India as a consequence of the partition.

Om Puri
as Nathu

Uttara Baokar
as Jasbir

Pankaj Kapur
as Thekedaar

Dina Pathak
as Banto

A.K. Hangal
as Bakshi Ji

Amrish Puri
as Sardar Teja Singh

Bhisham Sahni
as Harnam Singh