Liberally spiced with all elements of modern cinema, this rags-to-riches tale follows the life of Lal Singh (Amitabh Bachchan), who lives with his mother (Nirupa Roy) in one of Mumbai's impoverished slums. He grows up with the poor and needy, which gives him a good understanding of their plight in life. Due to his generosity and selflessly helpful behaviour he earns the title of Lal Badshah from the people he lives among.
Lal is a very helpful and kind-hearted person who is dead set against crime. In the same city lives Vikram Singh alias Vicky Baadshah (Raghuvaran) who is the Don of the city always clashing with Lal Baadshah. Vicky is the son of Dayal Singh (Amrish Puri) who lives far away from Mumbai in a castle. Vicky and his brother Ajit Singh (Mukesh Rishi), a corrupt police officer want to rule the city.
Meanwhile, Lal meets Kiran (Manisha Koirala), an L.I.C. agent who falls in love with him and is determined to become his wife. At the castle, Dayal Singh is still hunting for the treasures of the Maharaja, whom he murdered years ago along with his brother Sultan Singh (Prem Chopra).
When the Maharaja was murdered, his son, Dewan Ranbir Singh (also Amitabh Bachchan) hid the treasure, for which Dayal Singh tried to murder him. What is the link between Ranbir Singh and his look-alike Lal Singh? Will Dayal Singh ever be able to find the treasure?