After a plane crash, Dr. Motilal (Dilip Kumar), is left stranded in a small village, where he is given shelter by a blind old man called Surdas and his playful, young daughter Tarana (Madhubala). During the course of their stay, the Motilal falls for the charms of the innocent Tarana. Moti even helps Surdas regain his eyesight by means of an operation.

Meanwhile, Moti's father has promised him in marriage to Sheela, an affluent rich girl from the city without Moti's knowledge. A rich villager, Totaram wants to marry Tarana and is unhappy about Tarana's relationship with Motilal. When they go out for sightseeing, Totaram spreads false rumours about Tarana that she has defiled herself going out with the 'pardesi' (foreigner) Motilal.

While out sightseeing, Moti falls ill and collapses to the ground, much to Tarana's horror! A heavy thunderstorm ensues as well! Tarana helps Moti, and they take refuge from the heavy rain in a small village barn. Totaram gathers the villagers, and they head to the barn along with Tarana's father Surdas. When Surdas opens the door, he finds Moti and Tarana inside, and presumes that Tarana has indeed defiled her character! Moti is beaten up by the villagers and chased away.

Totaram further maligns Tarana's reputation by claiming that she is pregnant, and bribes the village nurse Kaneshi to testify to this fact. He even requests Surdas to marry her off to him, and that he'd take the "blame". Surdas really believes that his daughter is characterless and that she has betrayed him. In rage, he burns the entire house with Tarana inside. A guilty Totaram admits that Tarana is innocent and that he spread ill rumours about her and Moti. A heartbroken Surdas realises his mistake and tries to rescue Tarana from the fire, but is killed. Moti comes back in search of his beloved Tarana, only to find her house burning down to ashes!

Thinking that she his dead, Moti returns to the city in despair. It is then that Sheela, the girl his father engaged him to, comes to his aid and helps him return to a normal life. He becomes a very successful doctor and tries to accept Sheela, but is unable to. However, his sweet memories with Tarana keep plaguing him day after day.

He still believes in heart that Tarana is alive. He feels her presence somewhere around him. But he still agrees to his father's wish of marrying Sheela, though his heart is not at peace.

On the day of his wedding with Sheela, Moti runs away from the wedding and goes back to the old barn where he last saw Tarana. He is overjoyed to find her alive! Tarana thinks that he is already married and refuses to talk to him. But on learning the truth that he isn't married, she is elated!

Moti and Tarana are happily united, thus proving that true love always wins.