Trama

Poonam, a traditionally brought-up young woman, is to marry Prem, a groom chosen by her uncle. Poonam and Prem's faith and love are to be tested however, when an accident occurs and Poonam might be scarred for life.

After the passing away of his wife, wealthy Delhi-based businessman, Harishchandra, took it upon himself to bring up two sons, Sunil and Prem. When they grew up he got Sunil married to Bhavna, and let Prem complete his education, even let him study abroad. Soon Sunil and Bhavna gave birth to a son, Rahul. When Bhagat told him that he had found a suitable match for Prem in Poonam, the niece of Krishnakant, a fruit merchant from Madhupur, Uttar Pradesh, the family traveled there, met with Krishnakant, his wife, Rama, and daughter, Rajni, and instantly approved of Poonam. Prem and Poonam also approved of each other, the Astrologer was consulted and a marriage was scheduled to take place in six months time. Shortly thereafter the engagement took place. The two families met again in Som Sarovar, Nainital, to let everyone get acquainted, and when Prem got his first contract from Japan, Krishnakant took his family to Delhi to celebrate. With the deadline for the marriage drawing close, both families start their respective preparations - not knowing that fate may have other plans in store for this young couple.—rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)

Poonam (Rao) is an orphan, having come into her uncle Krishna Kant's (Alok Nath) household after her parents' death. He considers her a "gift", speaking of his aim in life being to nurture this daughter and to marry her off. Poonam lives with her Chacha(uncle) and Chachi (Seema Biswas) and their daughter Choti (Anjali Prakash). The aunt doesn't love Poonam much, because Poonam is prettier than Choti. However the loving Chacha arranges a match for Poonam with the son of a wealthy, industrialist family from Delhi. Where Prem (Shahid Kapoor) is the magnanimous bride-groom, who decides that he will spend a month of each year at his wife's parents' home, well-brought up Pooja is the perfect shudh Hindi speaking addition to the clan. The marriage day draws closer, but a fire in Krishna Kant's house will put Poonam and Prem's well-behaved love to the test . . .—Amodini

Poonam is a middle-class girl living in the small town of Madhupur in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. Poonam (Amrita Rao) lost her parents when she was very young. She was brought up by her uncle Krishna Kant (Alok Nath) and her aunt Rama (Seema Biswas). Krishna Kant is a small-time fruit trader in Madhupur.

However, Rama is jealous of her niece and dislikes her, since Poonam is more beautiful than her own daughter Rajni (Amrita Prakash). Rajni is darker in complexion and not as fair skinned as her cousin. Despite this, Rajni and Poonam are close and consider themselves sisters. Poonam grows up to be a soft-spoken, traditional and beautiful girl. Her only wish is to get a mother's love from her aunt Rama.

Bhagat-Ji (Manoj Joshi), a jeweler and a friend of Krishna Kant's who comes to visit Madhupur after several years. Bhagat is based out of Delhi, and Krishna Kant had put an order for jewels for Poonam and Rajni with him. Bhagat had come to Madhupur to deliver the jewels.

Bhagat-Ji likes Poonam and her simple and affectionate demeanor. Poonam has completed her bachelor's in commerce and is already managing all of Krishna Kant's accounts. Krishna Kant tells Bhagat that while Poonam's beauty attracts many marriage proposals, he is looking for a home where her skills and values will be respected.

He decides to propose her marriage to Prem (Shahid Kapoor), son of Mr. Harish Chandra (Anupam Kher). Harish Chandra Bajpayee, a renowned businessman in New Delhi, has two sons: the married Sunil and the soft-spoken and well-educated Prem.

Mr. Harish tells Prem about the proposed marriage. He believes Prem is of proper age to marry. Prem's brother, Sunil (Samir Soni), had also married Bhavna (Lata Sabharwal) at the same age. Prem, however, is hesitant to marry, since he feels himself to be very young and wants to focus on his career first. Harishchandra convinces Prem to meet Poonam before deciding anything.

They visit Krishna Kant's family and let Prem and Poonam get acquainted with each other. Though their first conversation is awkward, Prem and Poonam agree to get married, as they are instantly attracted to each other. The Roka ceremony is conducted on the spot. Rama is worried that Krishna Kant is marrying Poonam into a rich house and says that she will not allow him to spend all their assets on Poonam's dowry and wedding. Harish Chandra can sense the tension in Rama and tells Krishna Kant that the family only wants Poonam, and they can do the Roka with just a coconut and Rs 1 as a token amount. The marriage date is set after six months, and the two families plan a short vacation at Krishna Kant's summer residence in Som Sarovar as an opportunity to get to know each other better.

Poonam and Prem blissfully enjoy their time together at Som Sarovar. The two go through the most magical and romantic period of their lives, begin to fall in love, and become attached. After several carefree days, Harishchandra and his family returns home to attend to its business, which leaves Poonam and Prem the choice to communicate via telephone, internet or letter. Despite the distance between them, they grow closer and Prem, before going on a business trip to Japan, calls her for support. Poonam tells him on the phone that she loves him. When Prem calls Poonam from the airport in Japan, he confesses his love for her as well.

Soon after, Prem comes back from Japan and is pleasantly surprised to find that the family had brought Poonam, and a celebration is held in honor of Poonam's first visit and Prem's successful business venture. During the celebration, an angry and jealous Rama hides in her room, refusing to join. Krishnakant finds her and angrily confronts his wife, calling her out on her refusal to accept Poonam despite her attempts throughout her life to win Rama's love. He informs Rama that she is the only person who has ever had a problem with Poonam. Poonam spends some time at his house and finally returns to her own family to prepare for the wedding.

Both families get busy preparing for the wedding. Rama becomes very irritated and angry with Krishna Kant for spending lavishly on Poonam's wedding, as she fears there will be no money left for Rajni's marriage. As a result, Rama acts colder than usual to Poonam and wants nothing to do with the wedding. This hurts Poonam.

The night before the main wedding ceremony, a fire emerges at Krishna Kant's house. Though Poonam runs out of the house in time, she realizes that Rajni is still inside and goes back to save her. In this attempt, Poonam gets heavily burned. She is immediately taken to the hospital, where the family is told that the burns on her body are extremely severe but luckily, her face is untouched. The doctor informs her uncle that in such cases, even families disown their own. Upon hearing Poonam's diagnosis and the fact that she was injured saving Rajni, a remorseful Rama breaks down, realizing how cruel she has been to her niece.

Prem and his family, occupied with their own wedding preparations, are informed of Poonam's accident and rush to the hospital. Poonam is now very unsure if Prem will marry her because she has been scarred, and the marks will take months to fade away. The doctor (Mohnish Behl) informs the family that Poonam will take much time to recover. Krishnakant reminisces about Poonam's childhood and being emotional, is unable to sign the waiver allowing Poonam's surgery.

Harishchandra arranges for burn specialists to be flown in from Delhi for Poonam's operation. Prem is determined to marry Poonam and, when she tells him to take a look at her deep scars, he refuses, saying that his love does not deserve this test. He says that he will always love her no matter what and puts Sindoor (vermilion) on her hairline, marking her as his wife.

The operation is successful. Finally, Prem and Poonam get married, to begin their life together as husband and wife.