Shambhu Rathod (Anupam Kher) and his son Roop (Shah Rukh Khan) are two folk singers from Rajasthan and they make living by entertaining tourists Indian and foreign at Jaipur hotels..
Shambhu wants his son to get married, because they have been living bohweminian life, on normal complain of nagging cough, local doctor discovers throat cancer, father is reluctant to go to city but son insist and they leave for Bombay city.
They arrive in Bombay and having admitted Shambhu in hospital Roop goes looking for his friend from village who is serving in five star hotels, there it is birthday of hotel owner Ajay Narang's (Naseerudin Shah) sister Reshma (Ramyah)... Roop gets chance to sing and entertain them that night... Ajay Narang and his sister take liking for Roop and even offer him a job as a singer in their hotel.
On his way back, Roop encounters a beautiful girl who saves him from getting knocked down by a speeding car, he forgets to ask her name but calls her "Zindagi".
Shambhu Radhod in hospital meets a very lively and pro life nurse Pooja and feels strongly that she is the right daughter in law... meanwhile also tries to share his happiness and love with his "Zindagi" (Pooja) and proposes marriage to her...
Reshma starts falling obsessively in love with Roop and she uses her brother's power and love for her to get hold on Roop... Roop is forced to sell his heart... his voice... and his love to Ajay Narang because Ajay Narang corners him in to doing it as he needs lots of money to save his father's life...
And what unfolds is human drama unparallel... Ajay Narang's love for his sister can make him go to any extend to make her happy...
Pooja's love for Roop can make her do biggest sacrifice...
Reshma's obsession for Roop can even drive her to commit suicide...
When so many extreme characters confronts each other in emotional and intense drama directed by Master Director Mahesh Bhatt the screen explodes with dynamic performances by Naseeruddin Shah, Shah Rukh Khan, Pooja Bhatt, Ramyah and Anupam Kher.
[from the official press booklet]