Seeds of dissension are beginning to grow in the industrial empire of an aging Seth whose old fashioned views are bgin challenged by his nephew Dinesh and son-in-law Rahul, both equally ruthless in their lust for power. the Seth's daughter Hansa watches in troubled and withdrawn silence. Her father is her only real interest in life, despite the heir to the empire she has borne. Rahul brings a maidservant into this troubled household to look after their son. Janaki comes from the shanty town where the Seth's factory workers live. Her husband had died leading a workers union against the management... She now hopes to use her position in the house to help her friends in the union while Rahul wants to use her as a means to penetrate the world of the workers. Rahul becomes attracted to Janaki; Hansa, increasingly withdrawn and obsessed with her father, encourages the relationship. With Dinesh involved in foreign collaborations, Rahul secures greater control over the business. The Seth dies. Rahul consolidates his power. Hansa kills herself. Rahul, with Janaki's help, wins the battle with the unions and discredits Dinesh. He now has to get rid of Janaki. He informs her she is likely to be accused of the Seth's murder. Janaki returns to the shanty town which one night is set on fire... The film ends on a mythical note with Janaki and Rahul meeting on a bridge. He offers her freedom and equality but Janaki as the Goddess tells him \"... I am like the first light of the sun. I am as hard to ctach as the wind...\"