Neelima (Meena Kumari) falls afoul of a greedy uncle, who wants to make quick money by selling her to the highest bidder. After a stormy escape, she's found in a ditch by Pushpa (Kamini Kaushal), an invalid and guardian to absent brother Anand's (Ashok Kumar) daughter. Neelima sticks around and soon has charge of the household and the kid.
Back in Bombay, Ajay (Pradeep Kumar) is the artistic layabout son of a wealthy industrialist, and is targeted for marriage by a scheming socialite, Vinita (Shashikala). After rebuffing her, he earns the wrath of her father, and his own. Ajay decides to run from it all, presumably with the help of his secret trust fund, off to paint in Nainital. Soon enough, Ajay starts meeting Neelima at various occasions in Nainital and eventually both of them start loving each other.
On the other hand, Anand also falls for Neelima not only because of her uncanny resemblance to his dead wife but also her caring and affectionate attitude towards his daughter. Neelima, who lives in Anand's house is torn between her love for Ajay and respect for Anand soon confesses her dilemma to Anand. Vinita, the spurned lover is seeking revenge from Ajay and soon gets an opportunity when Neelima gets injured in an accident. Ajay misinterprets the situation unknown to the fact that she actually has met with an accident and is filled with hatred for her.
By the end of the film, Anand who is all set to marry Neelima backs out at the last minute giving way to her marriage with Ajay. Neelima and Ajay unite and Anand goes back to London leaving his daughter in the custody of Neelima.
