Ethnic violence spirals out of control as Britain leaves the Indian Subcontinent after World War II, dividing the country into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. Fazal, a proud tender hearted Muslim Shopkeeper living in a small Punjabi village stands dazed in front Of his Hindu friend's shop, reduced to ashes by Muslim vigilantes. A few months later his ten year old son Karim is torn apart from his Sikh friend Makhan as his family is forced to flee India. The two friends grow up; one in Pakistan, the other in India embarking on military careers and espionage while their countries remain in perpetual conflict.
