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On the historic night of 15th August 1947, while the entire nation celebrates a new beginning, two women, from two different worlds, give birth to two extraordinary boys, Aditya and Kabir. Both Aditya and Kabir could not have had more different births or more different lives. Kabir, born in abject poverty, faces a life of struggle and hardship alleviated somewhat by a loving mother and sister. Aditya, born in the lap of luxury into a doting family learns that however easy and comfortable his life may be, winning has to be everything, if he is to retain the family honour. Kabir's hard life gets even more distressing, when a sudden turn of events makes his mother take an extremely difficult decision. Kabir finds that at the tender age of eight, he will have to fend for himself and make his own destiny.
Kabir escapes from his village and reaches the big city of Hyderabad, weak from hunger and fatigue. Luckily, he is adopted by a kind gentleman, Hidayat Khan, who brings him up along with his own similarly aged son despite stringent opposition from his wife. Aditya continues his life of privileges as he proceeds to study at an exclusive boarding school at Dehradun. Meanwhile two ISI agents from Pakistan, successfully cross the border to India, with hatred in their heart, they have a plan to create a web of terror all over the country.
Devika gives birth to a baby girl, Mrinalini, and Aditya's extraordinary intellect and ambition have already surfaced as he astounds his teachers with his astuteness and acumen. On the other hand, Kabir, afflicted by fate, finds himself yet again in a situation, which changes his life forever. Mubarak, the Pakistani ISI agent, travels to Hyderabad in search of his past, determined to find his family.
Kabir, who has been kidnapped, realises that he has to face the all the challenges of life alone, and toughen up and survive in this world. Mubarak, who is searching for his family, has a brief encounter with Kabir unaware of his identity. Meanwhile Aditya, is blossoming into an exceptional student but is ruthless for success, however his life too is not without mishaps and at a tender age he has to face the realities which will force him to mature beyond his age.
Kabir, now living on the streets of Bombay makes a new friend Jayant when he helps him escape from some thugs who are trying to cheat him. Aditya is told of the new responsibilities he now shoulders after his father's death. The Merchant Board of companies is now presided over by one of the earlier directors - a man who does not wish the Merchants well and who could prove to be detrimental to Aditya's heritage. Aditya and Kabir grow up. At nineteen, each one of them faces a challenge which they have to overcome - one of the many in their lives. While Aditya's is for a whim and Kabir's is part of his daily struggle, each one shows their mettle in how they face the challenge.
Aditya's widowed mother Devika meets an eligible single man Gautam Melwani who woos her intending to marry her. Aditya is perturbed and suspects that his intentions may not be good. He finds out his background and the legal implications of the marriage. His grandmother Gayatri Devi becomes his accomplice in trying to save the Merchant family from this potential predator. Aditya and Kabir come face to face for the first time although for a brief few minutes, not knowing that their destinies are linked forever.
Kabir's honesty and efficiency lands him a better job which he sees as one more step up in life. Kabir and Jayant visit a brothel to celebrate but Kabir is thrown out not understanding why. The prostitute he was supposed to be with has made a startling discovery which leaves her both upset and full of joy at the same time. Kabir is confused but determined to find out why he was thrown out. Aditya meanwhile takes the girl of his dreams Catherine out on a date. However, his date goes a little differently from what he had expected.
Devika finds out that her husband Gautam has some financial worries and offers to help him out. Kabir finds out that Jayashree is actually his long lost sister and promises to get her out of the brothel. Aditya returns home after graduating and attends his first board meeting where he impresses everyone with his astute business sense in spite of being so young. Gautam feels bad about fleecing Devika and tells his partner but his partner has no such scruples.
Kabir lands a bar manager's job at Aditya's 5 star hotel in Goa where he meets Lubna and there is a spark of mutual attraction between them. Aditya's sister, Mrinalini and her husband Tushar are at the same hotel on their honeymoon; where in a drunken stupor she has an altercation with him. The turn of events that fateful night, will alter the course of Kabir's life forever.
Tushar, who has a skirmish with an intoxicated Mrinalini, falls off the hotel ledge and dies. Kabir who was present at the time of the incident, is implicated as Mrinalini cannot remember what exactly happened. Aditya confronts Kabir and holds him responsible for Tushar's death, leading to his imprisonment. Will the truth of Kabir's innocence ever be uncovered?
Aditya opposes Khanna and Kejriwal, who are trying to shut down Mechant's 5 star hotel chain because of the Tushar Bajaj incident. Gayatri Devi makes Aditya aware about Mrinalini's misdeeds which makes him realize Kabir is innocent and he decides to withdraw the case against him. Aditya gets a business proposal which will influence his personal life. In the meantime a lawyer bails out Kabir who insists on meeting his well-wisher, which will bring him closer to his true identity.
Mubarak reveals to Kabir that he is his father and requests him that they get together again, but he chooses to go back to his own world,where he has to start his career all over again. Despite Vishwanathan's opposition, Aditya shows interest in the business proposal offered by Sapna Khatau and there is a mutual attraction between them. Has destiny planned anything for Aditya's life though this business propasal ?
Aditya approves the business proposal of Sapna with Gayatri's agreement and upsets Sapna by inviting her to his business trip to Rajasthan. Gayatri, whose health is deteriorating, wants Aditya to marry Sapna, who is advised by her confidante Nazir, to give marriage another chance. Meanwhile, Kabir inadvertently finds some secret information about a horse race, which can help him fulfill his ambitions. Mubarak tries his best to convince Kabir to come back to him but will he?
Sapna agrees to accompany Aditya on his Rajasthan trip where they spend time together and come close to each other. The series of events in Rajasthan bring a life changing moment in Aditya's life. Meanwhile, Kabir borrows money from Shetty to bet in a horse race, which he believes he will win, against stringent opposition from Jayant.
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