Chitralekha is the most admired dancer and courtesan of Pataliputra, and the young nobleman Bijgupta adores her. Their love is challenged by Kumargiri, a stern yogi who preaches renunciation and scorns the pleasures of the world. Chitralekha accepts his challenge and goes to live in his hermitage, setting off a test of desire, pride and self-knowledge for all three. The film is based on Bhagwati Charan Verma's classic Hindi novel, and Kidar Sharma had filmed the same story once before in 1941. This version is remembered above all for Roshan's music and Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics: "Mann Re Tu Kaahe Na Dheer Dhare" and "Sansaar Se Bhaage Phirte Ho" remain among the finest songs of Hindi cinema. Meena Kumari plays the title role opposite Ashok Kumar's ascetic.
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