Salaam Bombay! (re-release)

In the days leading up to the film's narrative, Krishna's life was already ablaze with anger and resentment towards his elder brother, whose motorbike he had previously vandalized in retaliation for years of bullying. The consequences of his actions were severe, as his mother demanded that he earn 500 rupees to compensate for the damage before allowing him to return home. Seeking redemption, Krishna joins the Apollo Circus, where he becomes embroiled in a world of colorful characters and exotic performances.

As the circus packs up to move on to its next destination, Krishna is tasked with completing an errand, but upon his return, he finds that the troupe has departed without him. Abandoned and penniless, Krishna sets out for Bombay, only to be robbed of his meager possessions shortly after arriving in the city. Undeterred, he tracks down his thieves, forging a bond with one of them, Chillum, who becomes a sort of mentor to the young runaway.

Chillum introduces Krishna to the dark underbelly of Falkland Road, a notorious red-light district near Grant Road Railway Station. Baba, a ruthless drug dealer, employs Chillum and others like him, while his wife Rekha, a prostitute, struggles to raise their daughter Manju in such an environment. Despite her despair, Rekha holds onto the hope that Baba will one day follow through on his promise to start anew.

As Krishna navigates this treacherous landscape, he earns the nickname "Chaipau" and becomes determined to earn enough money to return home. However, he soon realizes that saving is nearly impossible in his new surroundings. Matters are further complicated when Krishna develops a crush on Sola Saal, a young girl who has recently been sold into prostitution. Desperate to rescue her, Krishna sets fire to her room and attempts to escape with her, but they are caught by the brothel's authorities. The resulting beating is severe for Krishna, while Sola Saal, still a virgin, is forced to resist her enslavement, tearfully denying any involvement in the fire. The madame of the brothel demands that Baba "tame" Sola Saal, and he agrees, setting in motion a chain of events that will forever alter the lives of these characters.

As Krishna's life at the tea stall becomes increasingly entwined with his side hustles, the lines between financial necessity and moral compromise begin to blur. His efforts to help Chillum overcome addiction, even after being sacked by Baba following a disastrous interview with a foreign journalist, only lead to a downward spiral. The desperation that drives Krishna's actions culminates in a series of ill-fated robberies, including a brazen daytime heist on an elderly Parsi man. But the money they steal is swiftly pilfered from Krishna's own savings by Chillum, who ultimately succumbs to his addiction and dies.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, Krishna's world begins to unravel further. A chance encounter with the police while walking home from work with friends ends in a juvenile detention center for both Krishna and Manju. Krishna makes a daring escape, only to find that the world he knew has moved on without him. He discovers that Chillum's former position has been taken by Sola Saal, a new recruit in Baba's drug empire. Krishna attempts to win her over, but she is now enamored with Baba and declines his offer. Instead, she disappears into the night, bound for her first 'client'. Meanwhile, Rekha is informed that the authorities will not release their daughter due to her mother's profession as a prostitute, prompting an enraged Rekha to abandon Baba once and for all. However, Baba exacts a violent revenge, leaving Krishna no choice but to intervene in a fit of rage, ultimately killing Baba and attempting to escape with Rekha. The two become separated in the chaos of a Ganesh festival parade, leaving Krishna alone and dejected as the film fades to black.