Set in rural India during the 1920s, the story follows a lower-class family facing the challenges of everyday life and the struggle for survival. The plot centers on Apu, a curious and dream-filled boy who explores the world around him alongside his sister Durga. The innocence of childhood intertwines with the harsh reality faced by their mother, Sarbajaya, and their father, Harihar, a man who seeks prosperity through ambition but struggles to keep his family afloat.
Life unfolds between moments of tenderness and pain, as Durga grapples with her hostile surroundings and the social criticism stemming from their poverty. The seasons change, mirroring the family's emotional fluctuations, while Apu and Durga find solace in their sibling bond and small pleasures. However, tragedy looms over the family, leading to heartbreaking decisions that will alter the course of their lives forever.
Through a poetic and visually striking narrative, the film captures the essence of Indian life, marked by the beauty of nature and the complexity of family relationships. Each scene serves as a reminder of the fragility of happiness and the inevitability of suffering. Overall, it is a tribute to human resilience and the poetry of the everyday, making this work an unforgettable cinematic experience.