[3] Bhola (Ratan Kumar) and Belu (Naaz) are left in the care of their wicked aunt Kamla (Chand Burke), a prostitute, after their mother dies.

A bootlegger and neighbour of Kamla, named John (David) teaches them self-respect and to work for a living instead of begging.

Both kids start saving from their begging money by giving less to Kamla, so they can buy a shoe-polish kit and begin shining shoes.

Overwhelmed by the emotions to help Belu and Bhola, John decides to sell unauthorized liquor and gets arrested.

In a piece for the Indian Express on 2 April 1954 issue titled 'Why I Produced Boot Polish', Raj Kapoor wrote, "In Awaara I tried to prove that Vagabonds are not born, but are created in the slums of our modern cities, in the midst of dire poverty and evil environment.

Boot Polish graphically shows the problem of destitute children, their struggle for existence and their fight against organised beggary.