A troupe of English actors touring in post-Independence India, unable to compete with the Bollywood film industry, struggle to bring the works of Shakespeare to the locals. Meanwhile, one of the actors, Lizzie, finds romance with rich playboy Sanju—but Indian film star Manjula stands in their way.

East meets West in this magnetic portrait of a traveling theater family, a breakthrough Merchant Ivory production that garnered Madhur Jaffrey the Best Actress Award at Berlinale. Set to a gorgeous score by Satyajit Ray, life on the road is dotted with thrilling encounters and bittersweet goodbyes.