Director Vijay Bhatt is supposed to have taken considerable liberties with history when he told the story of Baiju Bawra, a fictional character. The arrogant Tansen is one of the Nine Gems of Emperor Akbar's sixteenth century court. When an unknown genius Baiju Bawra (Bharat Bhushan) threatens his position, Tansen challenges him to a musical duel. Baiju is a simple village lad, who leaves his beloved Gauri (Meena Kumari) behind when he goes to Delhi to prove his genius.

Their rivalry is further fuelled as Baiju knows that Tansen's guards killed Baiju's father.Will Baiju prove his genius and return to Gauri? Naushad's brilliant and unforgettable tunes based in Hindustani classical tradition won him the Best Music Director Award for this film. Meena Kumari also won the Best Actress Award for this film, her first major role. The climax of the film is a classical jugalbandi by renowned classical maestros Ustad Amir Khan and D.V. Paluskar.

In a remarkable transcendence of communalism, the all-Muslim trio of Mohammed Rafi, Shakeel Badayuni and Naushad came together to present the immortal bhajan 'Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj'. The film is a treasure trove of music and drama besides being a tender love story.