[4] This film deals with the socio-political issues of corruption, primarily in the form of bribery in government offices in the Indian society of the 1980s.

[6] The film opens at the municipal building and construction department office (Mumbai, India).

Thakur is flustered, but informs him that a newly appointed clerk in his office is holding up the file.

When an ordinary guy approaches him with plans to extend the perimeter of his home (and, in accordance with prevalent practice, offers him a bribe), Kimtilal flatly refuses.

The guy insists, so Kimtilal asks him to send up a cup of tea (with 2 spoonfuls of sugar) from the small shop opposite the office.

Kimtilal's manager, Thakur, is also concerned that Gupta and Sampath are beginning to seek aggressive permits (for buildings that grossly exceed known structural limits).

Kimtilal assures Thakur that they need not burden themselves about this because they are merely the intermediate rungs of a ladder that extends much higher and involves many other, more powerful, people.

Thakur is not wholly convinced, but signs off on Gupta's new enterprise, Nirmal building, in spite of the structural faults.

He points out that it was Kamini (herself a headstrong girl) who brought forth the proposal; that he (Kimtilal) was not aware of it; and that if the children have decided upon each other, then the parents had best give it their blessing.

Gupta advises Sampath that the losses associated with Nirmal building are too great to ignore, and that Kamal is otherwise a likeable boy.

Vijay bands together with other like minded youth and starts a grassroots campaign to publicly identify and shame people who engage in bribery and corruption.

Kimtilal says that had he not bribed the doctor at the government hospital, his wife would have succumbed to pregnancy complications and Kamal would never have been born.

Every step of Kamal's life, school, college, the police academy and his wedding, was paved with Kimtilal's paying off the relevant government and social authorities.

Kamal angrily asks if the cost of hundreds of lives (at Nirmal building) justified the bribe.

Vijay is released from prison (with a limited term) and walks into the waiting arms of his family and friends.

[9] The track list is as follows:[7] All lyrics are written by Indeevar and Payam Sayeedi; all music is composed by Rajesh RoshanAccording to the Hindustan Times, the film "had a show stealer in Kader Khan who played a government servant".