The film is set in the India of the tumultuous 1930's when nationalists fighting for the country's independence rose up as one, urging the British to quit. At this time, a young Indian, Kisna ( Vivek Oberoi ) befriends and then shields a British girl Katherine ( Antonia Bernath ), from an enraged mob of nationalists including Kisna's own uncle and brother. Katherine is the young daughter of a ruthless British collector. Kisna takes it upon himself to escort Katherine to the safety of the British High Commission in New Delhi, who will arrange for her to board a ship home.

A tender attraction develops between Kisna and Katherine during the journey, a love story that is torn between ‘ Karma ' (the noble deed) and ‘ Dharma ' (the duty). Laxmi ( Isha Shravani ), the Indian girl Kisna is engaged to, forms the third point in an emotional triangle involving the Indo-British romantic pair.