In the conclusion to the Apu films, Satyajit Ray introduced a truly special leading pair. Soumitra Chatterjee, who played Apu, was then a radio announcer with negligible stage experience, and Sharmila Tagore was just a 14 year old.

Apu (Chatterjee) is now an unemployed graduate, living in a rented room by a railway yard. He hunts for a job, in vain, and is forced to sell his books to pay his rent.

Undeterred, he is writing a novel on his life, which he dreams will make him famous. His friend, Pulu, is the one he shares his dreams with. One day, Pulu takes Apu along to a cousin's wedding.

On the wedding day, it is discovered that the groom is mentally deranged. To help the bride, Aparna (Tagore), avoid social stigma, Apu agrees to step in as the groom.

Apu and Aparna develop a warm intimacy as they live in his Calcutta apartment. But death barges into Apu's life again -- Aparna passes away giving birth to their son.

A traumatised Apu abandons the child he holds responsible for Aparna's death, throws away his unifinished novel and lives as a wanderer. Pulu eventually brings him back, but the son now refuses to accept Apu as the father.

Apu makes amends and wins over the little boy. He is accepted as a friend, but not as a father yet. Finally, the two leave together forge a new beginning.