[1] The film is based on the story of Tukaram, an advent devotee of Panduranga in the 17th century in Dehu village of present-day Maharashtra.

Devastated Tukaram quits questioning the existence of God when Panduranga appears and endorses his divinity as Abhang s to scripture.

Now Tukaram awakes the devotion via singing and becomes eminent, which impresses emperor Shivaji, who facilitates him with material gifts but refuses courteously.

At this point, Mumbaji's envy is boundless, so he uses a brothel, Bahina Bai, to lure Tukaram when he shows the reality of life, how her beauty shrinks in old age and makes her a devotee.

Finally, the movie ends with Tukaram going to heaven, giving his ultimate preaching to follow righteousness, truth, peace, kindness & mercy.