 This movie is about the pure of heart (Pakeezah) Nargis (Meena Kumari) who was brought up by brothel madame Nawabjaan (Veena). Unable to break away from the vicious circle, Nargis grows up and becomes a beautiful and popular dancer/singer Sahibjaan. Aristocratic Salim Ahmed Khan (Raaj Kumar) is enthralled by Sahibjaan s beauty and innocence, and eventually convinces her to elope with him, which she does. But trials and tribulations await Sahibjaan as she is recognized by men wherever she goes in the company of Salim. When Salim re-names her "Pakeezah" and takes her to a priest to be legally married, she refuses, and returns to the brothel. Salim eventually decides to marry someone else, and invites Sahibjaan to dance at his wedding, Sahibjaan agrees to this, not knowing that many secrets will be revealed at this wedding. This movie is also memorable for its songs: "Chalo dildar chalo chand ke par chalo, hum hai taiyar chalo...."; "Chalte chaltey yunhi koi mil gaya tha sar raha chalte chaltey..."; "Inhi logon ne le liya dupata mera...."; "Tharey rahiyo o banke yaar tharey rahiyo..."; "Aaj hum apni dhuaon ka asar dekhenge, teera nazar dekhenge, zakhmi jigar dekhenge....".