The film is a coming-of-age story of a young boy named Apu, and life in his small Indian village in the early years of the 20th century. Apu is born to a poor Brahmin family in Bengal. His father Harihar is a priest who dreams of becoming a successful poet and a playwright; he does not earn enough, but the mother Sarbajaya keeps the family going. Because of their limited resources, Sarbajaya resents having to share her home with Harihar’s elderly cousin: the old and helpless cripple Indir. Apu’s sister Durga is always getting into trouble for stealing guavas from the neighbour’s orchards for Indir. She cares for Apu like a good older sister but loves to affectionately tease him. Together, they make do with what they have and enjoy the simple joys of life.

The Unvanquished is the second part of the Bangladesh Apu film series about a boy named Apu who gets a scholarship to study at a College in Calcutta. His mother is alone and torn between wanting him to be successful and not wanting him to leave her alone.