Based on a folk tale from Rajasthan, "Parinati" deals with the inherent tragedy of human avarice, which must inevitably lead to self-destruction. Ganesh, the protagonist, is a potter who leads a happy and contented life in a remote village. The only ambition he and his wife Kurjan share is to get their only son Laxman married and bring a daughter-in- law home. Destiny, however, has ordained otherwise. Ganesh is hand picked for his honesty and dedication by a local charitable Seth to become the caretaker of his inn in the middle of the desert. There, Ganesh and Kurjan meet a wealthy couple, who are greatly pleased with their service and hospitality. They offer to take their son Laxman to distant lands, teach him trade and make him fabulously rich.