Chakra is a portrayal of the migrant urban proletariat in a big city - poverty stricken, victimized and eploited. The only home young Benwa and his mother have is a decrepit pavement hut; the only life they know is one of poverty and violence, with rare moments of pleasure. Amma dreams of escape from the crowded pavement. One of her lovers is the truck driver, Anna, who visits her occassionally while he is on long trips. She finds emotional strength and security in Anna and hopes that one day he will marry her. Benwa dreams of being like their friend Looka who has been involved in activities like running an illicit distillery and pimping, and can handle any situation with the flick of a knife o the flash of a smile. Looka has been externed from Bombay for looting a grain shop during a political rally. On one of his visits to the slum he takes Benwa on a tour of city life: drinking, gambling, visiting the whore-house.