[1] The film is set in 1947, based on the Partition of India and was partially shot in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

[2][3] Gian Singh is a Sikh who goes off to war in the British Indian Army with his two best friends Andrew and Avtar.

The young Muslim woman Naseem (Kristin Kreuk) is separated from her family in riots and unaware that her father has been killed, hides in hope that the Sikh mobs won't find her.

In love, the world seems perfect until Margaret shows up on Gian's doorstep with news that Naseem's family has been found in Pakistan.

Her two brothers, discovering her marriage to a Sikh, lock her up in her room and forbid her to ever return to India.

Gian meets with Walter and Margaret, who barely recognise him without his turban, and leaves Vijay with them while he goes to get Naseem.

Gian is hauled to jail and there he wallows in the darkness, refusing to return to India until he remembers that he has a son who needs him.