Sukhan and Chand (Kishore Kumar) are the father and son, who hold diametrically opposite views on the subject of their poems.
He and his bosom friend Karim (Johnny Walker (actor)) grid up loins to face the blows and buffets of the world together.
Lali leaves her caravan and joins Chand and Karim and the glorious trio sets out for Bombay in quest of name and fame.
During his theatrical career Chand falls in love with Mala (Meena Kumari) who not only is a first class artist but a paragon of virtue and a model of modesty as well.
The unprincipled Ashok Babu conspires with Mala's brother Brij (Jayant (actor)) who is a devotee to a different place away from Chand.