In flashbacks, the guide recounts the marital life of Jinnah, when he falls in love and marries a Parsi named Rattanbai Petit, nicknamed Ruttie, against the will of her parents, mainly on grounds of religion and the difference in their ages.

In 1922, Jinnah faces political isolation as he devotes every spare moment to be the voice of moderation in a nation torn by Hindu-Muslim antipathy.

However, the partition of India is carried out, and the Guide and Jinnah witness the massacre of Muslims in migration done by Hindus and Sikhs.

After independence and the end of British rule, Pakistan stands as a new nation and sanctuary for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Mountbatten betrays Jinnah as the Hindu Maharaja of Kashmir, Sir Hari Singh, stalls his decision on which nation to join.

With the population in revolt in October 1947, aided by Pakistani irregulars, the Maharaja accedes to India; Indian troops are airlifted in.

The film ends with Jinnah and his angel judge travelling back in time to the scene of Muslim refugees.

The BBC reported that the threats were due to his previous film roles and not that he was a European playing an Asian.